Selfishness and selflessness are separate forces?

Interesting! It is essential to understand, that humans are selfish by nature. This is because of the drive to survive for self-preservation. What is really the problem with humans is to regard themselves as simply "Okay" this way. When a person comes to genuine repentance after they see their need for a spiritual relationship with God ( he or she sees themselves, as God sees them), then the "coin" drops and he or she will surrender their lives in service to God and others. It is actually a form of love (Godly Love called agape, by the Greeks). This type of love transcends the humanistic natural, self-centered love we all have and enables us to "overcome" our inherent selfishness. It is all a process the human being under goes when God draws him or her into a spiritual relationship with Him. The purpose of human life is for us to come to have a relationship with our Creator. Selfishness will ultimately work to destroy a person over time.