Articles
Finding Joy and Peace
The post-modern concept of personhood and the self is the spirit now at work in the Sons of Disobedience. The self has been psychologized and sexualized. Personhood philosophy drives people to believe their sexual desire is their identity. This viewpoint strongly resists any attempt to mold the person to fit into society or conform to any standard outside their preference. If anyone suggests a problem with an individual's view of themselves, it is resisted as a violent act. Thus, it is not enough to live and let live because tolerance is viewed as disapproval. Whether the person knows it or not, the conceptualization of the psychologized self results from an atheistic, materialist view of the world. While the philosophy promises freedom and happiness for the individual, the reality is confusion and narcissism, leading to depression and possible suicide (cf. 2 Pet. 2:19). How can a person escape this morass and find joy and peace?
Jesus said, "Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me." (Matt. 16:24) Why is self-denial the first step towards peace and joy? A life focused on yourself seeks only to satisfy the desires of your flesh. Hedonism never fulfills us. We know deep inside that it will end badly. It leaves us in a private hell.
When we deny ourselves, we can focus on serving others and God. Paul said, "those who belong to Christ have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires" (Gal. 5:24). When we pick up our cross and march to our crucifixion, we put to death our desires. God raises us with Christ to live a new life focused on Him and serving people. Jesus denied self when He left heaven to serve us by dying for our sins and to redeem us with his blood. He recreated us to be in the image of God (2 Cor. 5:17). Our new self, fashioned in the image of God, can "keep in step with the Spirit" (Gal. 5:25). We are encouraged to focus our new self on serving others: "Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others." (Phil. 2:4). We are "through love" to "serve one another" (Gal. 5:13). When do you feel good? When you do something selfish or help someone who needs you?
How can a disciple of Christ navigate a world where people define evil as good and good is now evil? We need to commit to reality. Jesus said, "If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." (John 8:31-32) Reality leads us away from hell. Truth is reality, and it puts us on the road to heaven. Jesus will lead us to joy and peace. Conforming our character to His image and humbly serving others will keep us from the destructive narcissism of this age. Selfishness only leads to a hell of depression. How terrible will it be to have lived in hell here and end up in hell in the hereafter?
"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope." (Rom. 15:13 ESV)
