Seeking Your Own

Seeking Your Own

“For I have no one like-minded, who will sincerely care for your state. For all seek their own, not the things which are of Christ Jesus.” Phil. 2:20-21.

This was the truth. How Paul’s various fellow workers received it was their business; in any case, it was for their own benefit if they received it well.

There are many ways of seeking your own. Some ways are obvious and are easier to discover and to judge, whereas others are hidden; this was certainly the case with Paul’s fellow workers since they were unaware of it.

They certainly hated their own life to some extent and followed Jesus, but they were slow to do it. We have to believe that they were not aware of the fact that they sought their own; otherwise it would have been sin to them. But Paul was aware of it and suffered because of it.

“Let no one seek his own, but each one the other’s well-being.” 1 Cor. 10:24. There is something in us that must be torn apart, cut off, or ripped out if we are not to seek our own.

A person with a strong human nature who in his zeal for God does not realize that his ministry in Christ is influenced by his strong natural abilities, will not, in spite of his ministry for God, fully understand what it means to seek the things of Christ and not his own.

On the other hand, there may be a person with a weak human nature who in his ministry for Christ is afraid to expose someone to “bad consequences”: for example, having their family against them or losing their job, etc. This makes heir weakness quite obvious and is an indication of unbelief or a lack of love or both. Doing God’s will does not have bad consequences; God sees to that.

It is important not to grow weary while doing the good, but love it and exalt it in your mind and thoughts. The good shepherd lays down his life for his sheep.

“‘Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel, prophesy and say to them, ‘Thus says he Lord God to the shepherds: “Woe to the shepherds of Israel who feed themselves! Should not the shepherds feed the flocks?”’” Ezek. 34:2. God has given some the gift of being a shepherd so that others can learn to be shepherds, each one in their place.

A mother is a shepherd in her home for all her children. Either she feeds herself and becomes weary of doing the good, or she loves her large, entrusted ministry for Christ’s sake and feeds her young and older children with a joyful heart by laying down her life. Therefore: Do not grow weary while doing the good.

A father is the chief shepherd in his home and has a very important work to do in Christ if he does it acceptably. He may seek his own, enjoy life, work in order to “get the children ahead,” so that he receives some “honor” on their account and can rejoice over his splendid offspring. Or he can serve his God and be a good shepherd at home who thinks of true happiness and honor and rejoices that his wife makes progress in the fear of God and that his children love and desire to walk in their parents’ steps. Therefore do not grow weary while doing the good!

Cursed be all desire for greatness in this world! We know how our Master and the apostles proceeded. We remember our departed shepherd and overseer, J.O. Smith, how he fought against all carnal greatness and reputation, with God was at his side in the battle.

Let us praise humility! Let us praise all those who humble themselves in the fear of God. Let us rejoice because of all the good things we hear and see in each other. All of it is ours! Hallelujah!