# 85: Is Christian Salvation Selfish?

The first stage of Christianity is, in itself, selfish with respect to our desire for salvation. Though seldom mentioned, this fact is nevertheless true. Although it is good to desire to be saved from hell and to be with God, it is still basically selfish when saving one’s skin is the motivation. However, one cannot remain there. How does this selfish motive get converted into a selfless life? Answer: Salvation through genuine belief makes Christ one's Savior. That job is done, finished—there is nothing else we can do about being saved. Let’s leave that selfish motive behind, without forgetting the price to acquire Christ’s life and get on with it. The second stage is the start of the Christian life: making Christ our personal Lord, the absolute boss of our lives, which is the corresponding action to our belief. If the second part doesn't materialize, that is undisputable evidence that the first part was no more than an intellectualized system of belief. The last statement should be plastered on every available billboard in America. People who call themselves Christians because they live in a “Christian country” must be made aware that the first component by itself is not Christianity. I often wonder what these people did to become Christians. I am sure I would get a thousand different answers.

Jesus Christ is Lord of all and in control of the whole situation; He knows the final outcome even though it is not evident at this time. Therefore, we must make Jesus Christ our personal Lord by having an active desire to obey all His commands. Many inward changes in one's motive for living take place as these modifications continually manifest themselves in one's life. This is according to His commands regarding love of God and neighbor, and dying to self-desire. At that time, our concern becomes focused upon the spiritual and physical needs of others: God doing His work through our lives with our permission. We become less and less concerned about our own salvation, which should be no more than Jesus was concerned about His eternal destiny. Our belief will make our position secure as our lives center around continually living to please the Father as Jesus did.

The first part is only Christ's work, making us His and giving us entry into His Body. The second stage is our part: living up to Christ’s standard, of course by grace. No matter what one does or says, you can't have one without the other. The first part is an absolute must and is greater value than the second—if they can be rated in degree of importance—but as I said, one can't stay there. If one does stagnate there, that religion is no better (and probably worse) than most other selfish and false religions. Under that condition, it is of absolutely no value to anyone but the enemy. Could this be one of the major problems with the organized church? Absolutely!

In practice, organized Christianity as a whole has been transformed into something that is not absolutely necessary: merely suggestions for right living. All that is desired is the Christian semblance of goodness. One goes to church with little or no concern for the needs of their fellow man or of God. Their thinking is thus: “I must be concerned about my spiritual needs. I must go to church to do my duty. Ah, now I can feel holy for another week." Sure...I'll bet you do. “I” has become a very popular word in the Christian vocabulary, but it has become a selfish, dirty, four-letter word to God. Remember, Christ came to destroy sin, which gets its origin from self-enthronement. Sin cannot be eliminated without destroying its source, which is ego. When we are accused by outsiders and skeptics of participating in a selfish religion, what should our defense be? The most legitimate argument should be our life of loving concern for these unbelieving accusers. No excuses!