We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves. Each of us should please our neighbors for their good, to build them up. For even Christ did not please himself but, as it is written: "The insults of those who insult you have fallen on me."
Romans 15:1-3
Not Having It Your Way
"Have it your way." For over 40 years, Burger King encouraged us to order food the way we want it. It was perhaps a catchy slogan, but Burger King was by no means the only voice in our culture telling us to make ourselves happy. Our society is all about instant, self-gratification. On a daily basis we are bombarded with messages and commercials and slogans, all encouraging us to take care of ourselves first and to make ourselves happy.
Sadly, our quest to please ourselves often involves hurting or neglecting others along the way. When we are in me-first mode, we are generally oblivious to the needs and concerns and feelings of others. We jump in line first. We make others wait. We fail to help those who need it. We vent about our problems but give little attention to the problems of others. Having it our way often means we fail to show Christian love and service to the people God has placed in our lives specifically so we can serve them. We are so sinfully selfish. The apostle Paul reminds us in Romans chapter 15 that this is not right. Selfish living is not God-pleasing living. Truthfully, it deserves God's eternal punishment.
There is a better way. Paul writes, "Even Christ did not please himself." It's remarkable to look at Jesus' life and see the way he was so selfless. Jesus did not live his life to please himself. But it would have been so easy! When he was hungry in the wilderness, he could have instantly produced food for himself, rather than trust in his heavenly Father to provide. When he was in the upper room, instead of serving the disciples and taking care of them so well, he could have made the disciples wash his feet and wait on him hand and foot. And when Good Friday rolled around, he could have insisted that all his followers die instead of him. But instead, he willingly put us first and died on the cross to take our sins away. Jesus did not make his life all about himself. Rather, his life and death were all about us. Because he was so selfless, you and I are forgiven and saved and on the way to heaven through faith in him.
Let the selfless love of Jesus motivate you to be different. Out of love for Jesus, don't try so hard to have it your way. Rather, as Paul says, "Each of us should please our neighbors for their good, to build them up."
Prayer:
Dear Lord Jesus, thank you for living such a selfless life for me and for willingly giving that life on the cross in my place. Motivate me with your love today to put others first and to serve them as you have served me. Amen.
The devotions on Thursdays and Fridays in March reflect on Truths for Today.
All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.
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