The Danger of Selfishness (1 Corinthians 11:17-22) Our topic for today is about the danger of selfishness and our text is found in the letter of Paul to the First Corinthians chater eleven and verses seventeen to twenty-two; In the following instructions, however, I do not praise you, because your meetings for worship actually do more harm than good. In the first place, I have been told that there are opposing groups in your meetings; and this I believe is partly true. ( No doubt there must be divisions among you so that the ones who are in the right may be clearly seen.) When you meet together as a group, it is not the Lords Supper that you eat. For as you eat, you each go ahead with your own meal, so that some are hungry while others get drunk. Dont you have your own homes in which to eat and drink? Or would you rather despise the church of God and put to shame the people who are in need? What do you expect me to say to you about this? Shall I praise you? Of course I dont! (1 Corinthians 11:17-22 GNT) Mayroong nalaman si Paul na nangyayari sa loob ng Iglesia ng Corinto at ito ay ang pagbabalik nila ulit sa pagiging makasarili. Kung ating .babalikan ang revival na nangyari sa kanila sa aklat ng Mga Gawa ay malayong malayo na sila. Ganito ang nangyari sa Unang Iglesia; Many miracles and wonders were being done through the apostles, and everyone was filled with awe. All the believers continued together in close fellowship and shared their belongings with one another. They would sell their property and possessions, and distribute the money among all, according to what each one needed. Day after day they met as a group in the Temple, and they had their meals together in their homes, eating with glad and humble hearts, praising God, and enjoying the good will of all the people. And every day the Lord added to their group those who were being saved. (Acts 2:43-47 GNT) Naulit pa ito sa kabanatang apat; The group of believers was one in mind and heart. None of them said that any of their belongings were their own, but they all shared with one another everything they had. With great power the apostles gave witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and God poured rich blessings on them all. There was no one in the group who was in need. Those who owned fields or houses would sell them, bring the money received from the sale, and turn it over to the apostles; and the money was distributed according to the needs of the people. (Acts 4:32-35 GNT) Kung titignan natin ngayon sa ating text kabaligtaran na ang nangyayari sa mga mananampalataya. Nawala na ang pagmamahal at pagbibigayan at napalitan ng pagdadamutan kaya di natuwa si Paul sa balitang ito. Hindi na naging pagpapala ang mga pagtitipon nila dahil nauuna na ang kanilang mga sarili. Iyong mga may kaya ay nauuna ng kumakain at umiinom kaya iyong mga mahihirap at walang wala ay dina nakakain kaya sila ay umuuwi na gutom. Kung ating pag-aaralan parang bumalik ang spiritu na ito sa ating mga simbahan ngayon. Bamalik na naman ang pagkakanya-kanya kaya iyong mga mahihirap ay nananatiling mahirap at ang mga may kaya ay para bang wala ng paki-alam sa mga kapatirang mahihirap. Hindi ganito ang kalooban ng Diyos. Kung ating titignan ang ating Panginoong Hesus, kaya Niya nakayanang mamatay para sa ating dahil hindi Niya inisip amg Kanyang sarili bagkus tayo ang Kanyang inisip. Dapat ganito rin ang ating gagawin. May payo dito si Apostle John; This is how we know what love is: Christ gave his life for us. We too, then, ought to give our lives for others! If we are rich and see others in need, yet close our hearts against them, how can we claim that we love God? My children, our love should not be just words and talk; it must be true love, which shows itself in action. (1 John 3:16-18 GNT) Kailangan bumalik tayo sa paglakad sa pag-ibig. Ang sabi ni John, dito natin malalaman ang pag-ibig na si Kristo ay namatay para sa atin, dapat din naman na ibigay natin ang ating mga buhay sa iba. Ang tunay na nagmamahal sa kanyang kapuwa ay tumatagpo sa mga needs ng iba hindi lang daw sa salita. Ang pagiging makasarili ay mapanganib dahil walang ibang iniintindi kundi ang itong sarili lamang at wala kang paki-alam sa iba. Ang taong makasarili ang pinakamalungkot at pinakamiserableng nabubuhay sa mundong ito. We need to understand that the true essence of life is not getting but its in giving. May galak at saya sa pagtatanggap subalit mayroong mas greater na kagalakan sa mga taong nagbibigay. Kaya nga maging ang ating Panginoong Hesu-Kristo ay mayroon pring kagalakan sa gitna ng Kanyang kahirapan sa Krus. Tularan natin ang ating Panginoong Hesu-Kristo na nabubuhay hindi para sa Kanyang sarili bagkus para sa iba. Ito ang tunay na pag-ibig hindi makasarili.
Posted on: Mon, 22 Sep 2014 23:20:13 +0000