AN ACT OF UNSELFISH LOVE

AN ACT OF UNSELFISH LOVE 

Philippians 2:3-10 NIV Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. John 15:12

The passages above emphasize that it is the will of God that we love as he loved us. I have wondered, “As he loved us?” That is one act of radical love he showed by giving his only son to die for us undeserving sinners. The thought of such self giving love could be overwhelming. Are we truly able to love selflessly just as God loved us?

Giving up his child for our sake is rather exceptional. What about those that don’t deserve our love? Are we supposed to extend such love to them as well? What does that term selfless love really mean? What about me, my interests, my desires, what is in it for me? I don’t have enough time and resources at my disposal to cater to my needs so why give up my time and resources to cater to others?

The call to love is often difficult especially as It is deeply rooted in us humans to be selfish, this is a natural tendency. But Are we to remain confined to these human tendencies? That is not God’s will for us. “Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit …”

Philippians 2:3

It is God’s will that we be more like him. He is an unselfish God. The Bible says in Galatians 6:7-8, “The person who plants selfishness, ignoring the needs of others — ignoring God! — harvests a crop of weeds. All he’ll have to show for his life is weeds! But the one who plants in response to God, letting God’s Spirit do the growth work in him, harvests a crop of real life, eternal life” (MSG).

Examples of selfishness include greed, jealousy rather than rejoicing for others, ignoring the needs of others, self centeredness, intentionally doing what is wrong for self gratification at the expense of others and much more. As the saying goes, “We reap what we sow,” The results of selfishness include feeling lost, frustration, unhappiness, unfulfilled no matter your achievements in life, feeling stagnant with no progress in spiritual growth and much more.

Philippians 2:3-10 emphasizes that the love God bestowed upon us is not that of emotions or sentiments (whether we are deserving or not), but rather, it is an act of will. We have to chose to love everyone whether they are lovable or not. God’s love is complete, relentless, and expects nothing in return.

We also have to remember that we have different gifts and callings. No one act of love is required by God for everyone.

It is important to take deliberate steps at giving human kindness. It does not have to be elaborate. Something as small as giving a compliment, a hug, stopping to listen to a problem, genuinely smiling at someone you don’t even know, and so on, could make quite the impact and brighten someone’s day. We could go even further to take some time out of our day to be there for someone else, send a gift basket to the sick or someone going through a life changing event like a loss, taking your neighbor’s recycle bin out, participating in community events to help the needy, holding out the door for someone, paying for someone’s meal or coffee at the restaurant, or just praying for others outside of ourselves… the list goes on and on. Let us let God’s light shine through us as we show love and kindness to others during this difficult times .