SELFLESS ATTITUDE

WEDNESDAY 20 OCTOBER 2021

This topic emphasizes on the importance of selflessness. A selfless attitude is about fixing our own attention, not always on our own interests, but on those of others also. In other words, as Christians, we are supposed to treat others with honour and selflessness.

Reference: Matthew 17:1-9 New International Version (NIV) 'Peter said to Jesus, "Lord, it is good for us to be here. If you wish, I will put up three shelters - one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah."'

When Jesus was transfigured and His face shone as the sun, Moses and Elijah appeared and started talking with Him. Although Peter was carried away due to the divine experience, which indeed presented vast beauty before them, he thoughtfully used the opportunity to suggest that three shelters should be erected, each for Jesus, Moses and Elijah. He didn't think of himself or consider his own shelter. At least, the two others, James and John, kept calm but Peter demonstrated a profound emotion of awe, in response to witnessing the vastness of the radiant glory on Christ and the entire scene.

Philippians 2:4 (NKJV) reads, "Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others." In other words, you are to look out for others and sometimes when led by the Spirit, you can put their needs first before yours, just like Peter did, denoting selfless attitude. Basically, it is only a self-forgetting love, which Peter demonstrated, that can care to consider other people's welfare and delight before theirs. But in general, the mainstream of Christian faith is, "Therefore, whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone - especially to those in the family of faith" (Galatians 6:10 NLT).

We often imagine that we would receive God's blessing as long as we mean well. However the Bible says, "but now you also must complete the doing of it; that as there was a readiness to desire it, so there also may be a completion out of what you have. For if there is first a willing mind, it is accepted according to what one has, and not according to what he does not have" (2 Corinthians 8:10-12 NKJV). Here Paul was applauding the grace of God bestowed upon the churches of Macedonia. Even though they were in great trial at that moment, they were freely willing to give, and they also expressed abundance of joy in doing good and in giving beyond their ability and capacity.

According to our referenced Scripture, just like Peter had a willing mind to do good, Paul encouraged the Macedonian Churches who expressed the same desire, saying, "You also must complete the doing of it." That means, if there is first a willing mind, we must go ahead and fulfil the "doing" part. Simply put, good intention isn't always enough; we must also ensure that our good intention is prudently acted upon, bearing in mind that we are doing it for God. Shalom!

Scripture Reading - Proverbs 3:27; Matthew 25:40; Luke 6:31; Philippians 2:3; Hebrews 10:24-25; 2 Corinthians 9:6-7; Galatians 6:2.

Guided Prayer: Thank you Father for teaching me to look out for the interests of others, with lowliness of mind, esteeming them highly. Every selfless attitude fulfils my joy of being like-minded with Christ. As a thoughtful, incisive and selfless Christian, every opportunity to do good is my brand new effort to be a blessing to others and I always function as Christ's vehicle of generous expressions in my world. To you, oh Lord, be the glory in Jesus' Name, Amen!