Paradoxes of the Faith: The Selfishness and Selflessness of Salvation I. Introduction A. Within the Bible, and within our faith, we may find many paradoxes B. Paradox: "A tenet or proposition contrary to received opinion, or seemingly absurd, yet true in fact," (Webster's) C. A paradox, then, exists when one of two conditions exist: a statement either seems absurd (generally because of apparent contradiction), or it runs contrary to "conventional wisdom" D. Example: "from death comes life" 1. this can be seen as paradoxical, since death is the cessation of life, and the statement appears absurd 2. yet, when we think about how the death of one creature allows other creatures to survive on its remains, we can understand how the statement is true E. There are many paradoxes that exist in the faith, and let us spend some time examining one regarding our salvation F. "Salvation is selfish yet must be selfless." 1. this statement, on the surface, is absurd! 2. Let us examine the Scriptures, however, and see if we can understand this idea II. Salvation as Selfish A. One of the most natural impulses in humanity is self-preservation 1. if we hear that there is a tornado warning, we run to the basement to preserve our lives 2. those who live near the seas and learn of hurricanes coming toward them depart for more landlocked areas to preserve themselves 3. in the face of any danger, it is natural for us to attempt to find ways to preserve our lives B. The same is true in spiritual terms 1. if we believe that we have a soul, and that we have a spiritual life, and that the consequence of our earthly lives will be either salvation or condemnation, the natural impulse is to work toward salvation! 2. Acts 2:40: Peter exhorts the Jews on Pentecost to "save [themselves] from this crooked generation!" 3. Throughout the New Testament, when people realize their current condition (that they have sinned, that they are condemned, and that the only way to avoid this condemnation is through Christ Jesus), they act to preserve their souls and obey Jesus! C. Let us not think that the "selfishness" of salvation is exclusive, that we desire to be saved and that we desire to keep it for ourselves-- by no means! D. Regardless, the desire to avoid condemnation and to preserve our souls is inherently a selfish one, an extension of the impulse to preserve our lives at whatever cost necessary E. Is the desire to be saved wrong because it is "selfish?" No! 1. although the New Testament does tell us that we are to go to great lengths for one another (as we shall see below), we are never told nor would we ever be told to act in any way that would endanger our own souls and salvation 2. We are to preserve our souls-- work out our salvation (Philippians 2:12) F. We can see, therefore, that the desire to be saved is a natural impulse of self-preservation, and in that sense is "selfish" G. Let us now see how our salvation is only effected with selflessness III. The Selflessness of Salvation A. While the impluse to be saved may be considered selfish, the post-baptismal means by which one is saved is anything but! B. Christians are called to be selfless in their service to one another and to all men C. "Love:" Greek agape, one of three terms used for love, and the one that describes "sacrificial love," the love that always seeks the benefit of another and not oneself 1. 1 Corinthians 13 describes agape love 2. Jesus is the ultimate example of agape love 3. 1 John 3:16: we know love [agape] in that He died for us-- we, therefore, are called to lay down our physical lives for the brethren! D. Philippians 2:3-11 1. we are to consider all others of more value than ourselves and put their interests before ours (vv. 3-4) 2. we are to have the mind of Christ, which exemplifies sacrificial love and putting the needs of others before ourselves (vv. 5-11) E. It is apparent, therefore, that our actions as Christians are to be selfless, done not for our own benefit but for the glory of Christ and comfort of others F. So our salvation stems from the selfish desire to be saved...yet to be saved we must be selfless. We have seen that this is the case, but how can it be explained? IV. The Explanation of the Paradox: Another Paradox! A. The Scriptures do give us an answer to this paradox, even from the mouth of Christ Himself B. Matthew 16:25 1. As Jesus explains the cost of being His follower to the twelve, He states this rather paradoxical statement! 2. If one seeks to save his life, he will lose it-- if one loses his life for Christ's sake, he shall find life! C. This is a paradox that goes completely against "conventional wisdom" 1. We can remember the 9/11 tragedy 2. Whose lives were preserved in that tragedy? Those who got out and ran away-- the ones who sought to save their lives! 3. Whose lives were lost in that tragedy? Those who were trapped, yes, but also those firefighters and other brave persons who gave no consideration to their lives and went into the buildings! 4. Survivors of tragedies, especially those who became lost during inclement weather and other such things, establish that they survived because they did not want to die and always fought to stay alive 5. We can see, therefore, that "conventional wisdom"-- and in terms of physical, wordly living, that you must want to survive to do so, and if you enter into a perilous situation without concern for your life your chances of survival are slim D. In spiritual terms, however, the paradox makes complete sense 1. Within Christianity itself, there is no room for selfishness 2. We must work together and must esteem others above ourselves—if all do this, then we all are taken care of, and all built up, and all can be saved 3. To seek to save one's physical life, especially in the face of persecution, endangers one's spiritual life! 4. It is only when we are fully servants of Christ and no longer give any concern to our own physical existence that we will find eternal life in Christ Jesus E. How, then, does this paradox explain the previous paradox? V. Conclusion-- Explanation of Paradox A. The paradoxical statement of Matthew 16:25 helps us to understand the paradox of the selfishness and yet selflessness of salvation B. While we may originally come to Christ to avoid condemnation and preserving our spiritual lives, we must set aside any selfish desires and act selflessly in obedience to Christ and the support of the brethren and the evangelism of the world to fully effect that salvation C. While self-preservation may be very much in our minds when we come to Christ for the first time, when we see Him at the Judgment we will have to have been fully expended for His sake to receive it D. Therefore it is as Jesus has said: while we seek to avoid condemnation and be preserved in Christ Jesus, we can only do this by losing our life for His sake E. If you have never obeyed Christ, we appeal to you this day as Peter did almost 2,000 years ago: save yourself from this crooked generation! a. while it may feel selfish to be saved, and to receive the blessings of peace in Christ Jesus and the encouragement of brethren, it is God's will for you to receive His love in this way! b. If you can see your state, that you are separated from your God because of your sins and that the consequence of this is condemnation, correct that today by confessing Him, repenting of those sins, and by being immersed in water for the remission of your sins F. If you have obeyed Christ formerly, but need encouragement to lose your life for His sake, please let us help you in any way we can as we stand and sing