Self-Love vs Christmas Love

“For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money ... unloving ... lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, holding to a form of godliness ...” 2 Timothy 3:2-5Close2 Timothy 3:2-5 For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, haters of good, treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, holding to a form of godliness, although they have denied its power; Avoid such men as these. OPEN VERSE IN BIBLE (nasb) (NASB)

VS

“For God so loved the world, that he gave His only begotten Son ...”John 3:16CloseJohn 3:16 "For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. OPEN VERSE IN BIBLE (nlt)  (NASB)

Several years ago, books were written on the subject of learning to love yourself, which 2 Timothy 3 prophesies as part of the end times. This theme gave birth to numerous classes, conferences, and general acceptance among psychotherapists. Today, this position is accepted by many as an axiom; i.e.: emotional problems are to be treated by helping a patient learn to love and accept themselves as this will unlock many locked doors that contain trauma, insecurity, abuse, etc. Although this approach has insight, it is incomplete.

During the days this self-love position gained such widespread acceptance, I can’t remember once reading or hearing that loving yourself can be related to a person becoming unloving. I found that if a person primarily stresses loving themselves, they can easily lose the needed focus on the needs of others.

Me First

From this “me first” approach came many self-centered thoughts and behaviors, such as parents feeling they needed better partners to feel good and to learn how to love themselves. They felt that what was good for them must be good for the children (in spite of the trauma the children went through) as they threatened and often destroyed what the children had been trusting in: their family’s security. They destroyed the foundation of much of a child’s emotional security and hope for the future. And, the divorce rate skyrocketed. Often, the children spent years recovering from domestic trauma. This unbalanced [me first] scenario, still commonly practiced by mothers and fathers, is a deception. It is a “scheme of the devil” (Ephesians 6:11CloseEphesians 6:11 Put on all of God's armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. OPEN VERSE IN BIBLE (nlt) ); which “the father of lies” (John 8:44CloseJohn 8:44 For you are the children of your father the devil, and you love to do the evil things he does. He was a murderer from the beginning. He has always hated the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, it is consistent with his character; for he is a liar and the father of lies. OPEN VERSE IN BIBLE (nlt) ) invented.

The Contrast of Christmas Love

God’s children are to love Him with all their heart, soul, and mind (Matthew 22:37). This powerful, self-sacrificing love is to be the foundation from which all Christian love grows. The reason for Christmas stems from mankind’s separation from God, separated by nature and sins. This is whyJohn 3:16CloseJohn 3:16 "For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. OPEN VERSE IN BIBLE (nlt) is the essential Christmas verse: it reflects the answer to man’s being (by nature) children of wrath and spiritual zombies (or, “dead in trespasses and sins”Ephesians 2:1-4CloseEphesians 2:1-4 Once you were dead because of your disobedience and your many sins. You used to live in sin, just like the rest of the world, obeying the devil—the commander of the powers in the unseen world.* He is the spirit at work in the hearts of those who refuse to obey God. All of us used to live that way, following the passionate desires and inclinations of our sinful nature. By our very nature we were subject to God's anger, just like everyone else. But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so much, OPEN VERSE IN BIBLE (nlt) ). Christmas is the ultimate display of Almighty God’s self-sacrificing love. It is selfless, caring love at its core.

The Religion of Self-Love Lovers

Another startling fact given in2 Timothy 3:2-5Close2 Timothy 3:2-5 For people will love only themselves and their money. They will be boastful and proud, scoffing at God, disobedient to their parents, and ungrateful. They will consider nothing sacred. They will be unloving and unforgiving; they will slander others and have no self-control. They will be cruel and hate what is good. They will betray their friends, be reckless, be puffed up with pride, and love pleasure rather than God. They will act religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly. Stay away from people like that! OPEN VERSE IN BIBLE (nlt) is that those who incorrectly love by primarily loving themselves actually have a religion (“holding to a form of godliness” v.5) (Greek - “holding to a religion”). The most common name given to this religion is Secular Humanism, which may be the religion with the most members.

What is Secular Humanism? Webster’s New World Dictionary defines secular as “worldly, not connected with a church.”Humanism is defined as “any system of thought based on the interests and ideals of humanity.”Secular Humanism is a system of thought (a philosophy based on the ideas of humanity rather than the manual for life — the Bible), that has permeated all aspects of society, even the church. It is identified when ideas are held that contradict what the Spirit of God states in the Word of God — the Bible. Mankind’s thoughts, inventions, etc. are not bad in themselves. Neither is humanism, actually, unless it is accepted by faith as providing the answers to subjects such as morality and what lies after death. In that case, it becomes a religion.

Watch TV and learn what is emphasized by this world system (food, sex, wealth, greed, ownership, etc.). (1 John 2:16Close1 John 2:16 For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father, but are from this world. OPEN VERSE IN BIBLE (nlt) ) Without Jesus and God’s inspired instructions and insights, mankind is left solely with man’s interpretations and the lusts of the flesh. (Galatians 5:16-21CloseGalatians 5:16-21 So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won't be doing what your sinful nature craves. The sinful nature wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are the opposite of what the sinful nature desires. These two forces are constantly fighting each other, so you are not free to carry out your good intentions. But when you are directed by the Spirit, you are not under obligation to the law of Moses. When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, the results are very clear: sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures, idolatry, sorcery, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division, envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other sins like these. Let me tell you again, as I have before, that anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the Kingdom of God. OPEN VERSE IN BIBLE (nlt) )

Lovers of this world’s system are lovers who do not love. They are primarily self-centered, even in the love they give. This does not surprise experienced adults and it certainly does not surprise Almighty God. They do not live in Christmas love.

Be a Channel of Christmas Love

Determine to love with Jesus’ selfless love flowing through you by the power of the Holy Spirit. With the Lord’s help, you will be a channel of warm Christmas love day by day, all of the year through.

Copyright © 2016 Dr. Bob Segress. Used by permission.