The Ruthless Elimination Of Self-Interest
Philippians 2:4-7 (ESV) —
‘Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who though He was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant.’
Can you believe it, the fourth day and the same theme! This is intentional not coincidental because our world culture is so aggressively intentional in seeking to centre our gravity on self-interest. The way of Jesus however pivots at the Cross and calls us to live daily for Christ, through surrendering self-interest, and daily putting others first.
The fruit of Christ at the centre rather than self, should be evident to those around us (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Galatians 5:22).
Paul wrote to the Christians in Philippi to encourage their Christ-centred overflow of love and sacrificial service. Jesus did not love us by imposing boundaries and constraints on himself to avoid personal discomfort, but rather he embraced discomfort so that we might be comforted.
It is easy in our culture to buy into a form of spirituality that keeps our self-interest at the centre. Paul challenges that, highlighting that the imitation of Christ does not involve loving at a distance when convenient, but points to the inconvenience of grace that compels us to love beyond the boundaries of our normal human capacity.
Mark tells us of a time in Jesus' ministry where he was tired and intended to have time alone with his disciples, but when he saw the needs of the crowd who were following him, he was moved with compassion (Mark 6:34).
This is not an instruction to us to live with no boundaries at all - that would defy commonsense - but it is an invitation to live within the boundaries of his divine grace, an environment where we may be asked to give beyond our natural capacity - but he then provides us with all the resources we need!
Prayer — Give us today our daily bread. Give us today the grace we need to walk in your footsteps Jesus.