“Regard one another as more important than yourselves.” Philippians 2:3 NASB.
Actions change when attitudes are directed correctly and consistently.
My thoughts and comments today are about “me first.”
Left to our fallen, natural instincts, we are self-centered and self-concerned. “Me first,” becomes a prevailing attitude. At best, others are often a secondary consideration. An unrestrained selfishness seems increasingly pervasive in our culture, evidenced by: extreme partisan politics, insider trading scandals, a growing entitlement society, and frightening crime statistics. That is a sad and unhappy way to live. Such a “me first” attitude weakens marriages, hurts families, damages relationships, destroys community, disintegrates society, and isolates individuals.
By yourself, you can succeed only at cosmetic changes, marginal and temporary adjustments which are unable to achieve meaningful change to the character issues of self-centeredness. But with God, all things are possible, even this. As a young boy in Church, I was taught a simple, practical truth, “The secret to Joy is: Jesus – Others – then You. J-O-Y, Joy!” Putting Jesus first, others second, and yourself last is the only order that will result in personal satisfaction.
Jesus was clear, “The first and great commandment is that you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, mind, soul, and strength, and the second is to love your neighbor as yourself. There is no other commandment greater than these.” Mark 12:29-31 NKJV. Rearrange those priorities and you radically diminish your results. “Me first” is not a lifestyle that honors God or respects others sufficiently. Love God; love others; love yourself. Life works best when lived God’s way – reverence for God, benevolence toward others, and confidence in yourself.
Paul provides an example of the true Jesus style: “Make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose.” Philippians 2:2 NASB. Your heart requires a major work of the Spirit of God to subdue natural inclinations in preparation for spiritual and supernatural transformation. The Apostle Paul establishes this priority of Godly selflessness, “Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind let each of you regard one another as more important than himself; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.” Philippians 2:3-4 NASB. That is quite a big order.
How do you do that? Putting the concerns and consideration for others before yourself is where you begin. “Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus. Who although in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a servant . . He humbled Himself . .” Philippians 2:5-8 NASB. Actions change when attitudes are redirected consistently. “Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another, not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord.” Romans 12:11 NKJV.
My prayer for you today is that you value others and regard them as is befitting.