Selfless Love

"And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them & was raised again." 2 Corinthians 5:15

I have been reading a book by Tim Keller called "The Meaning of Marriage."  You don't have to be married to read it (obviously).  Actually, I think you should read it before you get married & then again while you are married.  Anyway, I just read a section in the book on selfishness that I think we can relate to married or not.

According to Keller, 2 Corinthians 5:15 says the essence of sin is living for ourselves, rather than for God and the people around us.  Jesus can sum up the entire will of God for our lives in the two greatest commandments: to love & live for God rather than ourselves and to love and put the needs of others ahead of our own. (Matthew 22:37-40)

We live in a world that makes it so easy for us to be self-centered.  It's an all about me mentality. How are you going to help me?  I think we can go a long time and not even stop once to think about anyone other than ourselves.  I don't wanna be like that.  I don't wanna be that person.  Or that friend. Or that sister. And no one wants to be around that person. 

Something I have learned when it comes to doing things for others is that there's nothing that negates an act of kindness or thoughtfulness quicker than when you feel the other person expects something in return.  Can't we help others without expecting anything in return? No one should keep tabs of all the stuff they do for others.  Just be kind for the sake of being kind.  That's when Christ's love shines through us!

It's all about being intentional.  Making a conscious decision & effort to change.  To put the needs of others ahead of our own.  To live a selfless life.  Not thinking less of yourself or more of yourself, but thinking of yourself less.  It means taking your mind off of yourself & realizing that in Christ your needs are going to be met & you will have all that you need anyway.  I think when we look at it this way, we have nothing to lose! 

This is something that I will challenge myself with going forward & I hope it encourages you to do the same.  There are so many opportunities for us to show selfless love toward others & we will see them when we look for them. 


xoxox,
Vanessa