As we enter the month of July, we must never forget the freedom Christ purchased for us personally. In John 8:32 Jesus declared, “and ye shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free.” Christ set us free to live a life governed by His word and the freedom of the Holy Spirit. Freely we have received, freely we give our lives to help others find Him, and succeed in God’s divine purpose in Christ. The freedom we have received from Christ is for the service of others. Albert Einstein once said, “Only a life lived for others is a life worth living.” There are basically two types of people in the world, those that give and those that take. Make it always about giving and lobing others and your life will count plenty. God does not want us self-consumed, but God and others-consumed.
Self-Centered Behavior in the Last Days
When we examine human behavior in the last days, the bible clearly points to self-centered and self-consumed behavior. 2 Timothy 3:1-2 declares, “This know also, in the last days perilous times shall come, for men shall be lovers of themselves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy.” The Wuest Translation declares, “Men will be fond of themselves.” The American Standard Version declares, “Lovers of self.” The Amplified says, “Utterly self-centered.” God’s Word Translation tells us, “People will be selfish.” The Living bible declares, “People will love only themselves.” The Message bible says, “People are going to be self-absorbed.” Peter C. Moore once said, “There is no smaller package than a person all wrapped up in themselves.” Albert Einstein said, “The true value of a human being can be found in the degree in which he has obtained liberty from self.” God doesn’t want us self-centered but others’-centered. It is harvest time and God is looking for those who are interested in His greatest affection: people!
Putting Others Interests Above Your Own
Putting others interests above our own is the Christian life. Jesus came to seek and save the lost. He came on diving assignment to lay His life down for humanity. He came to put people first. Philippians 2:4-5 declares, “Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ.” The Message bible of verse 4 declares, “don’t be obsessed with getting your own advantage. Forget yourself long enough to lend a helping hand.” The Living Bible declares, “Don’t just think about your own affairs, but be interested in others, too, and in what they are doing.” The Complete Jewish Bible declares, “look out for each others interests and not just you own.” When we make others interest a high priority we begin to think with the mind of Christ. We begin to place high value on others and become a contributor to their success.
Reach Out and Make a Difference
Determine to make a difference around you. You have the ability to impact others through His love. Seek others out. Ask the Holy Spirit who ytou can help today. 2 Timothy 1:16-17 declares, “The Lord grant mercy to the house of Onesiphorus; for he often refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my chains: but, when he was in Rome, he sought me out very diligently, and found me.” Onesiphorus was a man that made a difference in the life of the Apostle Paul. He carried out an assignment to be a blessing.
We so appreciate you and believe God with you for His best always.
