Release from self-concern

Early on in chapter 12, Paul touches on what appears to be man’s fatal flaw ­– a deep-rooted concern for himself. It was personal concern that led the primal pair to question whether God was depriving them of something they should have (Gen. 3:3). After all, the fruit of that tree in the middle of the garden was good for food, pleasing to the eye, and promised wisdom (v. 5). From that point on, history is one long story of man’s pervasive regard for himself. There are moments of heroic activity, such as rushing to help someone in serious trouble, but then the needle returns to self-concern. I don’t want to leave the impression that life is therefore a sort of universal failure, but rather that it is pointed in the wrong direction and needs correction.
         In verse 3 of our chapter, Paul writes to the church in Rome and tells them, “Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought,” or, as the NLT puts it, ”Don’t think you are better than you really are.” That does not call for complete negation of self, but for balance. In fact, Paul goes on to say that they should “think of themselves with sober judgment” and that suggests that undo concern for self is a form of intoxication. Literature is full of references to egotism. The German novelist Hermann Hesse notes that “youth ends whenever egotism ends,” and that “maturity begins when one lives for others.” Booker T. Washington adds, “Egotism is the anesthetic that dulls the pain of stupidity.”
         Concern for one’s self is the dominant characteristic of the human race. It’s there, although innocently, in the cry of the hungry baby, the argument on the playground, the desire to have more, and the maneuvering for the better position. Note, however, that Paul goes on to say that we shouldn’t think of ourselves “more highly than we ought,” not that we shouldn’t think of ourselves at all. Self-respect is a noble regard for personal dignity and respect; unfortunately it asks for a lot more than it should have.
         And what is the answer for man’s innate desire for public recognition? Paul simply says, “Think of your selves with sober judgment.” When we stop considering ourselves worthy of special favors based on a presumed innate superiority, we will experience the genuine pleasure of no longer needing to prove our superiority. Once self-concern is in place, we can turn to a daily habit of helping the other rather than ourselves. The most comfortable people I know are those who with the help of God’s Spirit are trying to use their days for others in need. That is what Jesus did. He healed, he cast out demons, he paid attention to . . .  and he even gave his life for . . . . others. May God give us all the quiet humility that expresses itself in genuine service for others.