Message from Scripture: 4/1/2021

Today’s message from Scripture comes from two passages. First, 1 Cor. 16:14: “Let all that you do be done in love.” Second, Phil. 2:3-4: “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility consider others as more important than yourselves. Everyone should look not to his own interests, but rather to the interests of others.”

When we go about the activities of everyday living, these two verses 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 with 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, as 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 taken care of.

However, how often do we do this? Do we put our wants and desires first? Do we give little to no concern how our choices will affect others? Do we want what we want to take priority over everyone and everything else? There is no question this way can be inconvenient to what we may want, but what if Jesus considered responding to our spiritual needs too inconvenient to fulfill? What if He 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 to each other?

All Jesus did was done in love for us. He took the role of a slave and was crucified that our needs could be met. How do we respond to each other? The wisdom of Scripture is to be seen in how it changes us, from the inside out. Do we love others enough to serve each other? It’s what Christ did, and what He expects of us. Have you practiced this today? God bless.

Robert