Yesterday, we saw that selfishness destroys relationships.  Today, let's focus on the antidote to selfishness: selflessness.  Selflessness isn't a word we use much in our culture, but it's the foundation of our life in Jesus Christ.  In fact, the Apostle Paul wrote these words to the church in Philippi:  “Look out for one another's interests, not just for your own.”  Philippians  2:4 (TEV)

Those words point out how we can be selfless--by looking out for one another's interests, and not just for our own.  The next verses in Philippians 2 gives us the ultimate example of selflessness:  Jesus.  Here's what it says:   ⁵The attitude you should have is the one that Christ Jesus had: ⁶He always had the nature of God, but he did not think that by force he should try to remain equal with God. ⁷Instead of this, of his own free will he gave up all he had, and took the nature of a servant. Philippians 2:5-7 (TEV)  I can't even imagine having the attitude of Jesus, not completely anyway.  Jesus WAS (and IS) God.  Yet, of HIs own free will He gave up heaven and equality with God the Father, and the Holy Spirit to become one of us.  That is selflessness!  We find it hard to put others' interests above our own, because by nature we're selfish.  The fallen human condition is selfish.  The only way we can have the attitude of Jesus in any measure is to have Jesus in us--to let the Holy Spirit lead and control our lives.  That only happens in the lives of those who have trusted Jesus as Savior and Lord.  Even then, of OUR own free will we must give up our rights to selfishness, and put others' interests before our own.  At first it takes conscious decisions.  Eventually, it becomes our attitude.

Let's think about what that looks like in everyday life.  We're in a group at school and we want to do something, but others in the group want to do something else.  Do we pout?  Do we press our will on the group?  Do we consider the others' interests and participate in the activity they suggest? (Remembering that this only applies when the activity suggested is one of integrity in the first place!)  We're at home, and in charge of the t v remote.  Our spouse comes in and says, "Do you mind if we watch _______?"  Selflessness says, "No, that's fine."  So, what's the difference between selflessness and being a "doormat"?  On the surface, it may seem as if there's no difference.  In reality, there's all the difference in the world.  To willingly put others' interests before our own, out of our love for and commitment to Jesus is selflessness; to be walked on because we're too weak to stand up for what we believe is being a doormat. 

So, what will it be today?  Will it be selfishness?  Doormatness? Selflessness? The difference makes ALL the difference!

Let's pray:  Heavenly Father, Thank You for sending Jesus as the ultimate role model of selflessness.  Fill us with Your Holy Spirit that we may be selfless in all our relationships and bring You glory.  This we ask in Jesus' name.  Amen.