Alva Review-Courier -

One of the reasons that we have so much chaos around the world is because everyone has their own truth by which they live their lives. You have your truth, and I have mine. We live in a world where everybody’s truth must be considered and tolerated. What that leads to is a world of narcissistic people who will not consider the whole or greater good.

The reason there are laws around the world is because laws are passed to bring us together for the common good or the larger picture. We have sayings like, “it’s my money and I want it now,” “it’s my body,” or we rush to be first in line at Walmart at the self-check-out, or we pass other cars to be at the head of the pack going down the interstate. This ideology leads to nothing but violence, anger and chaos, which we are now experiencing in the world!

Jesus says in John 13:35, “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

Jesus makes it pretty clear that we are to stop loving ourselves so much and follow his example by loving others first! In order to do that, we must first deny ourselves and put others first. Jesus taught denying one’s self in Luke 9:23, “Then he said to them all: 'Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.'”” If we truly want the truth that leads to eternal life, we must deny ourselves, take up our cross (burden of living the Christian life) and follow the one who calls himself the truth, Jesus the Christ!

In John 14:6 Jesus says, “Jesus answered, 'I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.'” Jesus the Christ, who is the word John 1:1, came to teach us the Holy way of our Lord God, the truth, in order that we may have peace on earth and a heavenly home when we leave this earth. Everybody dies, so everybody should think about what happens after our soul, the eternal part of each of us, leaves our fleshly bodies.

Jesus can fix our narcissistic ideology by teaching us the truth, the truth God has spoken for us to live by, and the truth that makes us free, John 8:32 “Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” We must love one another and consider them more valuable than ourselves! Philippians 2:3-4 says, “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.” The true teachings of Jesus the Christ will put an end to this chaos, anger and violence! Thank you, God, for sending your only begotten son to teach us the truth!

We invite you to join us at College Hill Church of Christ, 1102 College Blvd, every Sunday morning at 10:30am for worship or follow us on Facebook at College Hill Church of Christ Alva Oklahoma. We are a fellowship of believers that follow God’s Word and love all who worship with us!