Sin Is to Live for the Self

 

Sin Is to Live for the Self

Gen. 1:26 “God said, Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness…”
Isa. 43:7 “Everyone who is called by My name, whom I created for My glory, whom I formed and made.”
Rom. 3:23 “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”
Num. 18:1 “Jehovah said to Aaron…you and your sons and your father’s house with you shall bear the iniquity of the sanctuary…” 

Aspect	Sin Is to Live for the Self
Meaning	Man was created by God to express and represent Him (Gen. 1:26; Isa. 43:7). Yet because of sin, man turned to live “for himself” (Rom. 3:23). Whatever is out of the self and not for God—whether good or evil—is sin in God’s eyes.
Cause	Man departed from God’s purpose, living independently of Him, centering on the self. Whether hating or loving others, if it is out of the flesh and the tree of knowledge of good and evil, it is for the self and not for God (Life-study of Leviticus).
Solution	(1) Accept Christ as the sin offering and burnt offering (Rom. 8:28; Rom. 7:18; Psa. 51). (2) Let the Lord use failures to expose our corruption and ugliness, that we may reject self-motives (Luke 22:31–32). (3) Turn wholly to God and live for Him alone.
Explanation	- “Sin as for the self” includes not only evil deeds but also good works, love, and service if done out of self. - The problem is not merely outward behavior but the inward source and motive. - Before God, anything not out of Him and not for Him is sin (Rom. 14:23). - God uses light and circumstances to expose the corruption of self so that man would rely solely on Christ.
Examples	a. Serving for self: Korah’s rebellion (Num. 18:1); Gehazi’s greed (2 Kgs. 5:20–27); workers rejected by the Lord despite miracles (Matt. 7:22–23); exalting self instead of Christ (2 Cor. 4:5). b. Doing righteousness for self: Giving, praying, and fasting to be seen (Matt. 6:1–6). c. Loving for self: Loving others for fame, status, or profit (Luke 14:12–14); raising children for one’s own future (1 Cor. 7:14).
Application	- Examine motives in service, prayer, love, and parenting. - Learn to be one with the Lord in spirit and live only for His glory. - Pray to be delivered from hidden motives of “competing with God.” - Let all actions, love, and ministry be out of God, not self.
Relevant Scriptures (Expanded)	- 2 Kgs. 5:20–27 (Gehazi coveted silver; Naaman’s leprosy clung to him). - Matt. 7:22–23 “…Many will say to Me…did we not prophesy in Your name?…Then I will declare to them: I never knew you; depart from Me, you workers of lawlessness.” - 2 Cor. 4:5 “For we do not preach ourselves but Christ Jesus as Lord…” - Matt. 6:1–6, 16 (on almsgiving, prayer, and fasting not for self-display). - Luke 14:12–14 “…When you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you.” - 1 Cor. 7:14 (children sanctified in the believing household). - Psa. 51 (David’s repentance). - Luke 22:31–32 (Jesus prayed for Peter’s faith not to fail). - Rom. 8:28 “All things work together for good to those who love God…” - Rom. 7:18 “For I know that in me, that is, in my flesh, nothing good dwells…” - Rom. 14:23 “…Whatever is not of faith is sin.”

 

Conclusion: 

Sin is essentially living for the self. Even good works can become sin if motivated by self. God’s salvation delivers us from self-centeredness, exposing and breaking the self, so that we may live wholly for His glory and represent Him as He intended.

 

*Please refer to the June 2025 Summer Training, General Topic: Experiencing, Enjoying, and Manifesting Christ (Part 3), Chapter 11: The Fellowship of Eternal Life – The Reality of Living in the Body of Christ