July 24
Bible Reading: 1 Corinthians 13
1 Corinthians 13:4-7, “Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.”
In 1977 a man named Robert Ringer self-published a book entitled “Looking Out for Number One.” It became a #1 bestseller and is still considered to be one of the top 15 self-help books of all time. The book was based on the premise that since man’s inherent nature is to look out for number one, we need to do a better job of looking out for number one. Here’s a quote, “We sometimes lose sight of the fact that our primary aim is really to be as happy as possible and that all our other objectives, great and small, are only a means to that end.” That phrase — “looking out for number one”—has since become a part of our culture’s vernacular. But we don’t need a book to teach us how to be selfish…we’ve got the world, the flesh and the devil all encouraging us to live that way.
The church in Corinth was rife with selfish behavior. They were not sharing in their observance of the Lord’s supper, and some were going away hungry. Some were suing their fellow believers. And they were not using their spiritual gifts to build up others, but to build up themselves that they might impress others. The truth was, that in looking out for #1, they had failed to look to the example of the true #1, the Lord Jesus Christ Himself!
From birth, we are prone to such behavior. Children don’t need to be taught to look out for number one in demanding things, as we are all born to selfishness. We now live in that time of which we were warned, in which people would be “lovers of self” (2 Timothy 3:2). The words “I, me, my, myself” predominate. People live their lives according to a self-centered mindset, but this leads to frustration when the universe does not comply. As the Pogo cartoon once put, “We’ve met the enemy and it is us!” What hope do we have for victory over the selfishness that lies so deeply rooted within us?
The Word became flesh and dwelt amongst us and in Him, a radically different manner of life was unveiled. The One who was rich, yet became poor, didn’t seek His own when He ventured into this sin-needy place. He didn’t seek His own as He perfectly subjected Himself to the Father’s will. He lived according to the godly character that was innate to His being. So, what do we discover as we examine His life? He took on the form of a bondservant. He came not to be served, but to serve. He was accompanied by no royal entourage. He had no home and no possessions. He pursued no selfish dreams or ambitions. He served others. Purposefully. Relentlessly. Sacrificially. He taught that it is more blessed to give than to receive, and that’s the way He lived. He was surrounded daily by people having needs, and He gave and gave. He was conspired against and betrayed, and then arrested and put on trial–still He did not seek His own, for He had prayed, “Father, not my will, but yours be done” (Luke 22:42). He was accused and convicted, beaten and crucified. He was mocked and insulted as He hung on that cross, but He still did not seek His own, for He gave His life a ransom for many (Mark 10:45)!
How radically wonderful is Jesus’ example of selflessness! On the merit of His willing sacrifice on the cross for our sins, we’ve been saved. The cross speaks likewise to the merit of His manner of life, for He came not just to wonderfully save us, but to radically change us! “Have this mind among yourselves,” wrote the Apostle Paul, “which is yours in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 2:5). You’ve been called to a dramatically different manner of thinking and living! He came to serve, He’s called you to do the same–in your marriage, family, workplace, school setting, church community–the question is not what other people can do for you, but how you can best serve Jesus in serving them? Of course, it is only by the Spirit that we can do this! But as He bears a selfless love in us, we’ve a unique opportunity in these increasingly narcissistic times, to bear a credible witness before a world of folks who need the Savior!
“But I am among you as the one who serves.”—Jesus
Make me a servant
Humble and meek
Lord let me lift up
Those who are weak
And may the prayer
Of my heart always be
Make me a servant
Make me a servant
Make me a servant today
LookingtoJesus 