I CHOOSE SELF DESTRUCTION!

I CHOOSE SELF DESTRUCTION....by Evangelist Elder Elvis Abenga

Just a thought.......

In Maslow's Theory of Motivation and the Hierarchy of needs, man's need for self actualization is put at the top as the ultimate goal. Thus, in his idea, everything that man does is geared up to fulfilling the need for self actualization.

I however pose a question and take a moment to ponder....as Christians, should we be seeking for self actualization? Is the purpose of the various careers that we have, and everything that we do, just in a bid to attain self actualization?

Or shouldn't we be seeking rather for self destruction?

In Galatians 2:20 we see Paul saying " I am crucified with CHRIST, nevertheless I live, yet not I but CHRIST liveth in me. And the life which I now live in the flesh, I live by the faith of the Son of GOD, who loved me and gave Himself for me."

He further proceeds in Galatians 5:24 to state that " And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts."

It behooves me to wonder why?

Self actualization was the genesis of the attempted satanic coup in heaven. Consider the language and attitude in Lucifer's words in Isaiah 14:12:

"How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer son of the morning, how art thou cut down to the ground, which did weaken the nations ! For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of GOD, I will sit also in the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north. I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High"

This passage can be compared with that in Ezekiel 28:12-20.

Lucifer desired self actualization, and as he sought self actualization, he turned his eyes away from JESUS CHRIST, pride came, and after pride, the fall.

In Eden, Satan, the enemy of souls proceeded to instruct Eve on his theory of self actualization. He deceived Eve in to believing that GOD did not want her to attain self actualization. "....Ye shall not die: For GOD doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil" (Genesis 3:4-5)

In the pursuit of self actualization, man fell into sin. GOD's image in man was lost.

The purpose of salvation was to restore in man the image of GOD that was lost due to sin.

But in order for the plan to be accomplished, CHRIST had to undo what Satan had done. He had to teach humans the truth. Man had for centuries past been learning in the school of Satan, how to achieve self actualization. Man had to unlearn what he had for ages been learning.

Thus the Great Teacher taught His disciples the true way to Salvation. "...If any man will come after me," said CHRIST, "let him deny himself, and take up his cross and follow me." (Matthew 16:24, Mark 8:34, Luke 9:23)

He taught the path to self denial, rather than self actualization.

Thus from the Word of GOD, my greatest goal in life should not be self actualization, but rather, self denial, and complete destruction of self.

From the pen of inspiration we get the following words,

"Man must be emptied of self before he can be, in the fullest sense, a believer in Jesus. When self is renounced, then the Lord can make man a new creature. New bottles can contain the new wine. The love of Christ will animate the believer with new life. In him who looks unto the Author and Finisher of our faith the character of Christ will be manifest" (Desire of Ages page 280)

It thus remains the choice for all of us to make. Shall we seek for self actualization? Or shall we seek for self denial and destruction?

Shall we seek to satisfy self, or shall we seek to be emptied of self?

Shall we seek to have the mind of CHRIST, who being in the very form GOD, thought it not robbery to be equal with GOD, but made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant and was made in likeness of men? (Philippians 2:6-7)

As for me, myself and I, I choose self denial.....I choose self destruction. In JESUS CHRIST's Name. Amen