Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. 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. (Philippians 2:1-4)
“In humility value others above yourselves.” Huh. Is that what you see around you these days? Everyone looking out for the interests of others? Not even close! Sure, there are occasionally examples of selfless service. But there are a whole lot more examples of selfishness. Would you agree? Later in this same chapter, Paul writes, “Everyone looks out for their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ” (Philippians 2:21). Paul knows our sinful human natures well, doesn’t he? We look out for our own interests!
At least, I do. These verses convict my heart. “Do nothing out of selfish ambition.” Really? Like nothing at all? My life is driven by my selfish ambitions. “Value others above yourselves.” Really? Like everybody else? Even him? Even her? Above me? That doesn’t fit with my “Me Me Me” mentality.
But Jesus teaches us something completely different. A counter-cultural attitude: “You first.” That kind of humility doesn’t originate in our hearts. It can only come from being united with Christ. “You first.” That kind of love can only come from being comforted by Jesus’ love for us. “You first.” That kind of attitude can only come from a heart filled with the Holy Spirit. “You first.” Can you say that out-loud with me? “You first.” Jesus and his Spirit teach us to say “You first” in a “Me Me Me” world.
Because that’s what Jesus said when he died for you on the cross: “You first.” That’s what Jesus says to you every single day, as he loves you and forgives you and comforts you: “You first.” That’s what Jesus teaches you and me to say to each person he puts in our lives: “You first.” When you see and believe that Jesus has your best interest in mind, you can devote your life to serving the interests of others. Dear Christian, be different. Stand out. Look to the interests of others. You first!
Dear Jesus, my selfish heart looks to my own interests. But you didn’t. You shouted out, “You first!” as you died for me on the cross. May your love motivate me to always look to the interests of others. Amen.
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