DID JESUS TEACH MEN TO LOVE THEMSELVES? Part 5
<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /> 
In light of this prophetic utterance of the Holy Ghost and the apostle Paul, should we be surprised at the onslaught of self-love being taught by so many leaders in the "Christian" world?
"For men shall be lovers of their own selves (self-love)...lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God"
It's real simple: False prophets are fulfilling these prophecies by teaching and feeding self-love, while leaders true to the LORD Jesus Christ declare what Christ did - that it is a necessity to deny one's self, and to humble themselves, that God may exalt them when and how He wishes (Matt. 23:12; Lk. 9:23-24, etc.). Jesus calls His own to deny themselves, while the enemy of all souls is using his emissaries in our midst to lead people to worship at the altar of self.
Saint of God, be careful of the self-love message which comes in so many flavors to feed the carnal/sinful nature in us. At the root of this message is always "What's in it for ME?" and the betterment of self - apart from God and His clear Biblical revelation to us. Scripture is even twisted, taken out of context, and used to teach this. Self-love undergirds all psychology whether it claims to be "Christian" or not.
Self-love is the root of the message of the false prophets of this late hour. Self-love is the core of the "favor of God" message taught by so many of the TV preachers who call God's people to worship at the altar of self.
Modern-day deceivers speak from pulpits and books and TV of "the favor of the Lord" and the "anointing" as that which can obtain things for self, instead of the Biblical message of the LORD's blessed favor, power, and anointing in our lives to accomplish His will in glorifying Him who alone is worthy (Acts 1:8; 6:27; 10:38, etc.).
In His life on earth, Jesus didn't use His Father's power to make Himself famous for His own grandizement. He didn't come to spend His life on earth for selfish gain, but instead to give it in crucifixion so that others could have life.  The Son of God expended His life teaching His disciples to lay down their lives and ultimately laid down His own life to serve all of mankind who was and is guilty of sin before the One, true Holy God (Jn. 13:1-8).
Called to Serve not Be ServedJesus told His 12 and all of us, that He came to serve and not be served. This is fundamental to the Christian faith. When some of His disciples attempted to elevate themselves, Jesus corrected them and told them they were to serve others and not themselves. Do our leaders not read their Bibles? Why don't they know this elementary truth and command?
"But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them. But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister; And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant: Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many." Matthew 20:25-28
The Bible says that love "seeketh not her own." (1 Cor. 13:5) True godly leaders teach the Bible - which instructs believers to mortify and crucify and put to death the deeds of the body (Ezekiel 44:23; Rom. 6). In contrast, false teachers incite the lusts of the flesh through messages of covetousness (2 Peter 2-3). God calls His own to serve Him and not self. "No man can serve two masters." (Matt. 6:24)
"For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God." Colossians 3:3
"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." Galatians 2:20
"And they that are Christ's have (settled issue) crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts." Galatians 5:24
www.SafeGuardYourSoul.com