Tag Archives: Selfish

Daring to Be a Servant

16 Tuesday Mar 2021

Posted by in Bible, Christian, Christianity, Church, Faith, God, Inspiration, Jesus, Jesus Christ, Life, Love, Religion, Religious, Spiritual

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We live in a world that has become increasingly selfish and self-centered. It seems that many are only living in this life to please themselves rather than to serve others. As a result, there is a devaluation of others, rather than there being a focus on encouraging and esteeming our neighbors. When the object of self is the desire, it becomes difficult to see the needs of those around us.

This can create an entire social structure that is predicated on selfish ambition, rather than civil and collective servitude. But what does it mean to be a servant? What does it mean to be in the mode of serving others?

In John 13: 12-15 Jesus is seen washing the feet of His disciples. As He does so, he has a conversation with them that ties into the concept of serving:

“When he had washed their feet and put on his outer garments and resumed his place, he said to them, “Do you understand what I have done to you? You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you.”

Foot washing in the Bible was seen as one of the ordinances of the early and first church. It also symbolized humility and service unto others. If we think about Jesus for a minute, He is King of Kings and Lord of Lords which means that He has been given the role of having the ultimate authority by God. In the scripture above, Jesus is asking the disciples if they understand what He has done for them. Despite Him having the role of Teacher and Lord, He makes it clear that He had a distinct purpose for washing the disciple’s feet. Take note that Jesus says that He Himself is the example of servanthood or being a servant. Then He says, that the disciples are to also do the same as Jesus did.

There are really three principles that can be taken from the above scripture:

  1. Serving others is a selfless act – To serve means to take others into consideration and not to esteem oneself so highly. Being a servant is about ensuring that others are cared for and that their needs are being met before yours. It takes very little energy to receive, but it takes more energy and commitment to serve someone else. When a person is a servant, they are producing the fruit of humility and service to others expecting nothing in return. It is not about self, rather, it is about doing good unto those around you first.
  2. Serving others has nothing to do with position – We live in a world that is full of hierarchies. Positions such as President, King, Queen, Prime Minister, and even other leadership positions related to business, they exist all around us. However, regardless of any position, service is an independent act. There are those who believe that their position in leadership causes them to be immune to being a servant. In other words, some believe that they do not need to serve others, that their position of leadership elevates them above everyone else. However, Jesus shows us that even if one is in a prime position of leadership by title, serving is not optional but should be expected.
  3. Jesus is the model for servanthood – Jesus Christ is the model for humanity to follow in all areas, but specifically, He models serving others. In the scripture noted above, Jesus makes it clear that He is the sole example of serving. We as Christ followers should look to Jesus as our example for leading and serving.

So, the question here is, will you dare to be a servant? In a society that postures itself on self-gratification will you seek to serve others instead? Serving is not as easy as it sounds, because it involves sacrifice and a steady desire to fulfill the needs of those around you before yourself. However, there is a reward that occurs when we serve others. It is the fact that we are using our gifts, skills, time, and talent to help someone else. It then means we become fulfilled in our own lives and the cycle of service continues to spread.

Do you know Jesus in the pardon of your sins? If you don’t know Christ, today is a great day to accept Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior. Once you come to the knowledge of Christ and have a relationship with Him, He will enable you to serve others with a heart that is fixed solely upon fulfilling needs as opposed to receiving for selfish gain. Look to Jesus Christ, as He is our example.

What is Love? Part 2

07 Monday Dec 2020

Posted by in Bible, Christian, Christianity, Church, Faith, God, Inspiration, Jesus, Jesus Christ, Life, Love, Religion, Religious, Spiritual

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When a person declares that they have fallen in love with another, usually the description invokes words that are emotionally charged. Some say that being in love gives one the feeling of butterflies dancing around in their stomach. Others, describe it as a constant state of having the person of affection on one’s mind. There are a myriad of emotions that one may feel concerning being in love from the romantic standpoint. However, what are the key characteristics of love itself?

Before getting into those characteristics, it should be known that love is not based on a feeling. While falling in love, being in love, or loving someone brings with it the emotional side, the primary focus of love is not emotional, rather it is a choice. To prove this, there may be moments when our loved one’s disappoint us or they cause momentary periods of discomfort. That is due to the human condition of being sinful and imperfect. Circumstances in life change, people change, which means if love were based on the emotive state, then many would forgo love altogether. Love is a choice, rather than it being based on one’s emotions.

With love, there are also key characteristics that the Bible shows us in 1 Corinthians 13:4-7:

(NLT) “Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.”

  • Patience – When a person is operating in love, there is a prominent display of patience for others. Despite the many flaws and challenges that may arise, a loving disposition portrays a steady dose of patience. This means, time will be taken with others, even when they may not be deserving of said patience. However, love suggests that even when others are not patient with me, I will be patient with others.
  • Kindness – Love is also shown through acts of kindness. The world around us has distorted the concept of love. In extreme cases some attribute those who exhibit verbal abuse or even physical violence as being loving. However, neither of those two acts have any correlation to love or kindness. When a person loves another, kindness is revealed.
  • Love is not jealous – When a person achieves something of significance, love does not encompass jealousy or feelings of disdain due to someone else’s accomplishments. Instead, love seeks to celebrate what others have rather than attempting to downplay or minimize their success.
  • Love is not prideful – Arrogance is not a characteristic of love, because one of the primary components to love is that it is selfless. Pride is a position of focusing on oneself rather than desiring to serve others or to put others before self.
  • Love is not rude – This is similarly in tandem with kindness. Insulting others or being rude is not a characteristic of love, because with love, there is a level of care with one’s actions and words. That is because it seeks to truly honor others and promote a sense of respect and admiration unto those who are the target of affection.
  • Selflessness – Demanding one’s own way falls in the category of being selfish or self-centered. Love however, it does not seek to focus on self, but to build others up and seek to fulfill the needs of others.
  • Forgiving and merciful – To keep a record of wrongs can easily be used as ammunition to destroy relationships. Love does not look into the past in an attempt to discredit or use past history against others. Instead, to love is to forgive and to be merciful, despite past sins or imperfections.
  • Focuses on truth rather than evil doing – Another key aspect of love is to discover the truth and to promote it. Love does not center itself on celebrating evil or injustice, but it rejoices in truth being revealed which is often a carrier to justice and fairness.
  • Always faithful – To keep the faith is to be in a state of conviction about a matter. Love always has faith rather than being faithless. It means never losing one’s conviction or belief and always remaining steadfast in said position of faith.
  • Always hopeful – To hope is to have an earnest desire of believing and staying focused on a viewpoint despite physical evidence. In other words, if something has yet to occur, love says that despite not seeing, there is still a solid belief that will be adhered to.
  • Endurance – Despite the circumstances of life, love remains entrenched in the same position, and it endures. It means to withstand and be steady throughout a fiery trial or a periods of challenge. Love remains committed, regardless of external or internal influences that would suggest otherwise.

The list of characteristics that the Bible shows us above is evident when love has taken root in someone’s life. Love cannot encompass the opposite of those characteristics, because then by definition it would not be what love is. However, the primary definer of love is the Lord God almighty. The characteristics as noted above are an extension of who God is, because He is love. Without knowing God through Christ, we cannot adequately love based on His original intention.

Do you know Jesus in the pardon of your sins? God sent Jesus Christ as His only begotten son to be the sacrifice for humanity’s sins. Only through Christ can you and I know what true love is, and begin to portray it earnestly. Give your life to Jesus today by repenting of your sins and turning your life over to the Lord. For God is love.