Do you feel sorry for those who feel sorry for themselves? By logic this shouldn’t be necessary, since they already have this task completely covered, but your instincts are correct to have pity on those who are mired in self-pity. This is a miserable condition that is not useful for them or anyone else. Does it seem a great burden to lay down your life, and pick up your cross, and follow me? Yet dying to yourself implies that self-pity is no longer an option for you and in this I am doing you a favor.

Are you easy to classify on the basis of your beliefs? Do you think that Christians have a certain set of predetermined political positions that you signed up for when you committed yourself to me? Beware of those who know the answers before the questions are asked, and of those who would pressure you to recruit you to their cause. My word leaves the door open for everyone to consult his own conscience on some issues and be fully persuaded in his own mind. Hold your political opinions with a loose grip. Paul was willing to become all things to all people that some might be saved.

Are you familiar with the story from the garden about eating the fruit from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil? This is used by theologians as an event that established conditions that exist to this day. Do you think this was a one-time once only story, and that this decision set the course of conditions to follow forevermore? Do you think this rule was made for Adam and Eve but not for you? I tell you that this commandment applies to you, and that you face this decision every day.

What sort of things do you think I care about? Do you think I care only about believers and activities that take place in church? You know I care about the poor. What about helping you in the world of commerce, in the way you make your living? Do you think I care about whether your favorite team wins the game? Sports fans are some of the most devout believers in the world and offer the most fervent prayers. Would it surprise you to find that that I do care about who wins the game? This is because I care about everything, for everything is in my Kingdom and has a purpose.