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Your Question:
Is it selfish to want to live when others are suffering?
Answer:
As I reflect on this question, I'm reminded of the importance of considering the bigger picture. As a pastor, I've seen many people struggle with selfishness, not just in their personal desires, but also in their actions. When we prioritize our own needs and desires above the needs of others, it can lead to harm and suffering for those around us. This is not what God desires for us, as He calls us to live in humility and to regard one another as more important than ourselves (Philippians 2:3). However, I also believe that wanting to live when others are suffering is not necessarily selfish. In fact, it's a natural human desire to want to continue living and experiencing life. As the Bible says, "If one member suffers, all the members suffer with it" (1 Corinthians 12:26). This means that when we see others suffering, we are called to suffer with them and to seek their well-being. It's not about prioritizing our own desires above theirs, but about being willing to share in their struggles and to seek solutions that benefit everyone. Ultimately, the question of whether it's selfish to want to live when others are suffering depends on our motivations and actions. If we're willing to put the needs of others above our own and to seek their well-being, then our desire to live and experience life is not selfish. In fact, it's a desire that's rooted in our love for God and for others. As the Bible says, "Love each other as I have loved you" (John 15:12). This means that we're called to love and serve others, even in the midst of suffering, and to seek their well-being above our own.
Sources:
christian theology
millard erickson
systematic theology
wayne grudem
mere christianity
c s lewis
reasonable faith
william lane craig
my utmost for his highest
oswald chambers
gods crime scene
j warner wallace
job
francis andersen
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