For the Greater Good
Lately, we hear a lot about changes and sacrifices we need to make for the greater good. The “greater good” means to supposedly improve the quality of life for all people. At least that’s what “they” tell us.
We also read a lot about people being taken over by governments and “leaders” in many older, well-known science fiction books. Science Fiction writers were either prophets (not likely) or they understood how history plays itself out over and over with people being MANIPULATED into doing things so the rich get richer, the powerful get more powerful, and “the people” become unwitting servants of those people. We are in full-blown brainwashing and propaganda mode now, so it is time to be careful and diligent as Jesus warned us over and over…
God also asks/tells us to sacrifice for others, so what is the difference between man’s manipulation of behavior and God’s Word telling us how to behave? God tells us to do it out of LOVE whereas man tells us to do it for equality. (Socialism) God says that ALL HUMANKIND was created EQUAL, so we don’t have to sacrifice every gift and good thing He has given us for the Greater Good, but we are to LOVE EACH OTHER as we LOVE OURSELVES to create an environment of support, caring and love that becomes a natural lifestyle, not a forced manipulation. In other words, not a resentful or unaffordable sacrifice of giving, but a natural way of life where our hearts want to give and help others. Doing so in a manner that we can affect the greater good of mankind without going down the wrong path. God-led, not man led.
Acts 10:34: “Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons.” (This means God does not value one person more than another nor does He consider one more important than another)
Galatians 3:26-28: “So in Christ Jesus, you are all children of God through faith, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
Since God considers us all equal and He created us, then we should not allow man to distort that by telling us HOW we are to give and sacrifice for the “Greater Good.” The Bible already tells us that we do it through LOVE.
Romans 12:10: “Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Outdo yourselves in honoring one another.”
James 2:8: “If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, “Love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing right.”
Philippians 2:3: “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves…”
Although it may seem the same, a man telling you to sacrifice for the greater good is NOT God telling you to honor, value, and put others above yourself. God is telling us to love, care, and support each other while man is making up their particular belief system and/or ideology to force mankind to follow some sort of selfish agenda. Philippians 2:3 (above) tells us not to do things in “selfish ambition” but few human agendas are benevolent. However, it is through kindness, love, and benevolence that the Bible prompts us to act.
So whereas man tells us to act as he commands, following his own beliefs, perspectives, and objectives (usually self-serving), God is telling us to do it for each other out of pure love with no conditions or expectations. Biblically, we love each other more than ourselves because Jesus taught us it is the right thing to do and enables us to happily serve each other. Man makes up agendas and tells us their individual version and vision of what is right and wrong. In sum, the Universal Law of good versus personal, selfish agendas…
So, my brothers and sisters, I warn you to be careful and wary of any and all human agendas that include doing or sacrificing “things” for the greater good because it is impossible to follow only one human agenda all the time and the result being good for ALL humanity. We each have individual situations and therefore each person’s needs have to be approached from their perspective and life, not ours. The Bible perspective is simple:
Loving each other creates the desire in us to serve them in a way that fits their needs. Jesus said as it gets closer to the end of times there will be many false prophets and proclamations. We will see much arrogance and selfishness. So as people tell you what to do to satisfy their agenda, remember the ONLY true agenda is to keep loving others, act in a righteous way, and be cognizant that God gave us dominion over this earth and the creatures in it so we can CARE for it/them, not so that we can follow other men.
“Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves.” (Matthew 7:15)
Men devour; Jesus protects. Be vigilant and stay in The Word. Amen and God bless, Lisa. ><>
If you enjoyed this sermon check out our others here or if you have questions please send us a message.