Alltruism

Altruism - Is this a god of mine?

altruism : unselfish regard for or devotion to the welfare of others

-Merriam-Webster Dictionary

Over the past 4 years my understanding of the Gospel has changed dramatically. In a very practical way, I have grown to understand the words of Jesus to be much more about others and how he came to save the world and not just me. I've come to understand the Gospel is less and less about me being right and having a corner on the truth and more and more about how I treat those around me. How I love the mere notion that I love because I was loved first, and that I can and should love others just because God loves them...and that I love others just because. This is a difficult world view. There are so many people out there who I have difficulty loving, and I have so far to go. Once we are able to love all people we will be very close to Glory, if indeed that is not Glory itself.

In my feeble attempt to try to love all people, just because, I have found that part of my motivation for loving others is selfish. I love them because I want them to love me. I'm a people pleaser. In some ways, I think we would all struggle with this, especially if we have that people pleasing gene (ppg). So, getting around this is one thing. I often wonder how much I have become driven by the "gospel" or little g "god" of altruism. This would be the large piece of the Gospel of Jesus that is more about others than it is about Jesus. See, I have always understood the heart of God to be about His glory.

My introspection is this, "Does God receive glory when I love others for the sake of others, just for the sake of doing good? Aren't most people out there all for doing good to one another? Is there a difference between me who tries to help others in Jesus name (and sometimes my own) and those who just do it for the sake of Good in the world--altruism? Can altruism be an idol? In a culture where celebrities are seen more and more creating a trend of altruism, do i fall down to a trendy idol? How do Christ followers lead the culture in loving others just because it's what we are called to? AND, how does it look different--or will it?

I know that in order to love others so they see the love of Christ in me, I don't have to give them a tract or hit them with a Bible verse but my faith will be seen at some time in the future if, in fact, there is relationship. You could say there will be a peculiarity in my personality. Like 1 Peter 2:9-10 says,

"But you are the [peculiar] ones chosen by God, chosen for the high calling of priestly work, chosen to be a holy people, God's instruments to do his work and speak out for him, to tell others of the night-and-day difference he made for you—from nothing to something, from rejected to accepted."

I think it is great that Angelina is adopting (pray for those kids!). I think it's great that Starbucks gave away free coffee last spring for doing volunteer work in your neighborhood. I think its great that so many commercials on tv have celebrities promoting rescue in Haiti, peace in Afganistan, love at home, hope for the poor, and a green planet. All the while, this is the message of Christ and I have to do my part to lead like these celebrities...even though it won't be the popular, accepted thing to do. Is Jesus big enough to make his Glory known even when people do good in the name of altruism?