Selflessness advances the kingdom of God …

In spite of what is widely and commonly taught, your own life is not “all about” your dreams.

It isn’t even about you.

That’s hard for people to wrap their minds around. Who is your own life supposed to be “all about” if not your self? After all, your life is your life!

Scripture tells us clearly, unabashedly, over and over again, but very directly in this passage of scripture, that our lives are supposed to be “all about” Jesus:

“Christ is the visible image of the invisible God. He existed before anything was created and is supreme over all creation, for through him God created everything in the heavenly realms and on earth. He made the things we can see and the things we can’t see — such as thrones, kingdoms, rulers, and authorities in the unseen world. Everything was created through him and for him. He existed before anything else, and he holds all creation together. Christ is also the head of the church, which is his body. He is the beginning, supreme over all who rise from the dead. So he is first in everything,” Colossians 1:15-18.

What does a life look like that doesn’t primarily promote and advance itself? C.S. Kirkendall, Jr., steps up to provide us an example with this story:

Every young student knows of Isaac Newton’s famed encounter with a falling apple. Newton discovered and introduced the laws of gravity in the 1600s, which revolutionized astronomical studies. But few know that if it weren’t for Edmund Halley, the world might never have learned from Newton. It was Halley who challenged Newton to think through his original notions. Halley corrected Newton’s mathematical errors and prepared geometrical figures to support his discoveries. Halley coaxed the hesitant Newton to write his great work, “Mathematical Principles of Natural Philosophy.” Halley edited and supervised the publication, and actually financed its printing even though Newton was wealthier and easily could have afforded the printing costs.

Historians call it one of the most selfless examples in the annals of science. Newton began almost immediately to reap the rewards of prominence; Halley received little credit. He did use the principles to predict the orbit and return of the comet that would later bear his name, but only AFTER his death did he receive any acclaim. And because the comet only returns every seventy-six years, the notice is rather infrequent. Halley remained a devoted scientist who didn’t care who received the credit as long as the cause was being advanced.

There have been others …

John the Baptist with his famous statement, “He must become greater and greater, and I must become less and less” (John 3:30).

Joshua was happy to live and serve in the shadow of Moses.

Barnabas was content to introduce others to greatness.

When we finally understand that we were created by Jesus, FOR Jesus, learning that our lives aren’t all about ourselves, then we’re motivated to turn from our selfish ways to the servanthood of selflessness — exactly what Jesus called us to:

“Then he said to the crowd, ‘If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross daily, and follow me,'” Luke 9:23.

When we give up “our own way” — our selfish ways — we see that selflessness advances the kingdom of God. That’s why over and over again, scripture exhorts us to make less of ourselves and more of others as we seek first the kingdom of God (Mt. 6:33):

“Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too,” Philippians 2:3-4.

“If you are wise and understand God’s ways, prove it by living an honorable life, doing good works with the humility that comes from wisdom. But if you are bitterly jealous and there is selfish ambition in your heart, don’t cover up the truth with boasting and lying. For jealousy and selfishness are not God’s kind of wisdom. Such things are earthly, unspiritual, and demonic. For wherever there is jealousy and selfish ambition, there you will find disorder and evil of every kind. But the wisdom from above is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and the fruit of good deeds. It shows no favoritism and is always sincere,” James 3:13-17.

“Finally, all of you should be of one mind. Sympathize with each other. Love each other as brothers and sisters. Be tenderhearted, and keep a humble attitude,” 1 Peter 3:8.

“For you have been called to live in freedom, my brothers and sisters. But don’t use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love. For the whole law can be summed up in this one command: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself,'” Galatians 5:13-14.

“You say, ‘I am allowed to do anything’ — but not everything is good for you. You say, ‘I am allowed to do anything’ — but not everything is beneficial. Don’t be concerned for your own good but for the good of others,” 1 Corinthians 10:23-24.

“My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me,” Galatians 2:20.

“If we live, it’s to honor the Lord. And if we die, it’s to honor the Lord. So whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord,” Romans 14:8.

“But my life is worth nothing to me unless I use it for finishing the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus — the work of telling others the Good News about the wonderful grace of God,” Acts 20:24.

What — or who — is your life “all about”? Have you abandoned your selfish ways to take up a cross and live as a selfless servant? How does your selflessness advance the kingdom of God?

Scotty