If there was ever a characteristic that is the antithesis of the characteristics of Christ, it would be selfishness. Jesus did not have a selfish bone in His body. Everything He did, at least when He was here on earth, He did for the benefit of others. Why did Jesus give up the comforts of heaven and the universal recognition of His deity that He enjoyed there? Paul tells us.
2 Corinthians 8:9 (ESV)
9 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich.
When did Jesus become poor, and why did He do it? He did it when He gave up His home in heaven, and He did it for one reason—that we might be rich.
Why did Jesus ultimately die on the cross? The Hebrews writer tells us.
Hebrews 12:2 (ESV)
2 Looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.
The joy that was set before our Lord on the cross could have included a few different things, but one thing most scholars agree upon is that it included the salvation of our souls. It has been said that it was not nails that kept Jesus on the cross, it was His love for us that did so. That love brought Jesus joy even when He was in agony on the cross. He knew that what He was doing was the only way we could make it to heaven, and it brought Him joy to secure our salvation.
What should the selfless nature of Jesus do for us? First, it should cause us to be thankful and give Him praise (Revelation 5:12). Second, it should remind us of what we ought to be. We cannot be selfish and followers of Christ at the same time. When we are determined to put ourselves before everyone else, we cease to be Christians. Paul once said, “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus.” To what mind was Paul referring? Here it is.
Philippians 2:3-4 (ESV)
3 Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. 4 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.
Selfish ambition is often condemned in the New Testament. James said, “But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your heart, do not boast and be false to the truth. This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic” (James 3:14-15).
The interesting thing about the Greek word for “selfish ambition” is that it is often translated as “strive,” “factions,” or “rivalry.” This demonstrates the destructive nature of selfishness. Whenever you have someone causing strife or factions, things that can ruin a local church, the perpetrator is usually motivated by selfishness.
We do not always have to get what we want. We do not always have to have our way. Instead, let us all strive to have the mind of Christ and be willing to sacrifice our will for His greater cause. And for the love of our brethren.
As you wind down for the night, think about these things.
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