Shift from Yourself

It has been said in different ways, but I don’t think that it hurts to hear it again and in another way.

Each day I struggle with the concept of “Yourself” or “Myself”, and I know that many others do as well.

However, for Christians this is something that universally does not concern us. This is especially true of those who have overcome, or abstain, from obvious sins (drinking, swearing, smoking, adultery, etc.). What this leaves our culture with is a self-elevation of “Myself”.

In the Old Testament there are common references to “Yourself”, as all commands are given down this way.

Example: “You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below.” – Exodus 20:4

In contrast the New Testament Gospels seem to be seemingly void of this type of “Yourself” commandment. In fact, in Matthew there is just one, can you guess it?

That’s correct, “Love your neighbor as yourself” – Matthew 22:39.

It is obvious that while the Old Testament is good and useful, there was a shift with Jesus’ teachings. He reframed the “Yourself” concept to be about others.

I am not sure that our culture has yet to understand this type of thinking, just as Jesus’ disciples struggled to understand two centuries ago.

But this is a struggle that is worth a lifetime.

~ by Brad Raburn on October 14, 2009.