14/08/2015
Living Unselfishly
'...Give without expecting a return...' Luke 6:35 TM
If you're serious about becoming like Jesus, pay careful attention to His words: '...Ask yourself what you want people to do for you; then grab the initiative and do it for them!...give without expecting a return. You'll never - I promise - regret it...' (Luke 6:31-35 TM). Love, expecting nothing in return. Give, though they'll never say thanks. Forgive, even though they won't forgive you. Come early, stay late, invest everything you've got even though nobody notices. Paul calls this '...the high calling...' (Philippians 3:14 KJV). And there's a reason: none of us would set such a standard for ourselves! If you think some people are just naturally more loving than others, think again. Love is a choice: one that costs! You can't love others while you're staring into a mirror or give to others while you're clinging to what you've got. Love will cost you time, your money and your preoccupation with self. If you think you'll just go to church some Saturday morning, read a book or attend a 7-step seminar and turn into the kind of person we're talking about - good luck! There are no pre-packaged saints; no 'add-and-stir' formula that makes God's love gush forth. To be loving you've got to take up your cross, deny yourself and make others your priority.
Remember the woman caught in adultery? Jesus stooped down to reach her, stood by her under attack, then sent home redeemed and refocused. Do you want to be like Him? Go and find people who are hurting, hopeless, and even wrong. When you do, minister to them until they're redeemed, restored and right. That's living unselfishly!
