Today’s message from Scripture comes from two passages. First, 1 Corinthians 16:14 reads, “Let all that you do be done with love” (NKJV). Second, Philippians 2:3-4 says, “Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.”
When we go about the activities of everyday living, these two passages should be the litmus test of how we as Christians respond to the Lord and to each other. The love of Christ dwelling in us is to be the prime motive of how we engage others, in what we say and do. Before we say or do anything, we should ask ourselves if it falls under the prime directive of the love of Christ. If this is true, then selfish ambitions and conceit will have no part in our living since we consider others as more important than ourselves and their interests important in our response to them. If we all responded this way to each other, then selfishness would evaporate, and everyone’s needs would be met.
However, how often do we do this? Do we put our wants and desires first? Do we give little or no concern how our choices affect others? Do we want what we want to take priority over everyone and everything else? There is no question practicing what the foregoing passages teach can be inconvenient to what we may want, but what if Jesus considered responding to our spiritual needs as too inconvenient to fulfill? What if He had decided the glory of Heaven suited His desires more than becoming human and offering Himself on the cross for our sins? What if He became agitated at having to deal with our weaknesses and having people asking for His help? What if He had acted just like we sometimes do toward each other?
All Jesus did was done in love for us. He took the role of a slave and was crucified so our needs could be met. How do we respond to each other? Scripture needs to change us from the inside out. Do we love others enough to serve them? It’s what Christ did and what He expects of us. Have you practiced 1 Corinthians 16:14 and Philippians 2:3-4 today?
