“Let no one seek HIS OWN, but each one THE OTHER’S WELL–BEING.” (1 Corin. 10:24) This is truly SPIRITUAL UNSELFISHNESS Isaiah tells us, “All we like sheep have gone astray; WE HAVE TURNED, EVERY ONE, TO HIS OWN WAY; (this is SELFISHNESS) And the LORD has laid ON HIM the iniquity of us all.” (Isa. 53:6) The Lord laid this on who? On HIM… “Surely HE has borne our griefs And carried our sorrows…HE was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon HIM, And by HIS stripes we are healed.” (Isa. 53:4-5) Of course this “HIM” is Jesus the ultimate example of SPIRITUAL UNSELFISHNESS!!!
While unbelievers may demonstrate a selfless concern for others, God says that they allow “self” to rein in their life. It has been observed that “I, ME, MY, AND MYSELF” are found more than 40 times in (Ecclesiastes 2:1-11.) Solomon was focused on himself but came to see that this kind of life was “vanity and striving after wind” (2:26). Solomon came to see that only FOCUSING ON GOD could provide the answer to life “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is the WHOLE DUTY OF (UNSELFISH) MAN. For God will bring EVERY WORK into judgment, Including every secret thing, Whether good or evil.” (Ecclesiastes 12:13-14)
When we come to Christ for salvation, and heed the Savior’s call, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must DENY HIMSELF, and take up his cross and follow Me” (Mark 8:34). We must deny ourselves (SPIRITUAL UNSELFISHNESS) and allow Christ TO DIRECT OUR LIVES. Paul describes this as a CRUCIFIXION OF SELF and a death to sin, “For we know that our old self WAS CRUCIFIED WITH HIM so that the body ruled by sin might be done away with, that we should NO LONGER BE SLAVES TO SIN—” (Rom. 6:6)
OUR UNSELFISH NATURE IS DONE AWAY WITH WHEN WE ARE WASHED IN THE BLOOD OF THE LAMB.
-Bill Stockham