From Me To Him

Talent is God given.  Fame is man given.  Be grateful.  Conceit is self-given.  Be careful

~John Wooden~

Also He spoke this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others:  "Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector.  The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, 'God, I tyhank you that I am not like other men- extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this tax collector.  I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I possess.'  "And the tax collector, standing afar off, would not so much as raise his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, "God, be merciful to me a sinner!"  "I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted."

Luke 18: 9-14 NKJV

One of the greatest compliments a man can get is that he is humble, that he puts others above himself.  When we examine the life of Christ Jesus, we see that this was exactly how Jesus focused His attention on others.  For Jesus truly had a heart for those around Him.  It was among the poor, the sick and the broken where Jesus made His greatest impact.  In Jesus we truly have a perfect example to follow, so why don't we?  As I said, no greater compliment is there than to tell someone that they have a heart for others.  I have run across my share of people in my time who exhibit these very characteristics.  then again, I have certainly met those whose main focus is centered on what is best for themselves.  Indeed, what good is our ministry of Christ Jesus if our intent is more along the lines of what others can do for us?  If Jesus had followed such a path, we may have not witnessed Gods love and mercy of whom Jesus was the very image of.  Were there others in the days of Jesus who exemplified a heart for others?  Certainly, but Jesus, being the true example of God among us, gave witness to the love and mercy of God to all men.  Of course, that heart for others Jesus exhibited is also a calling on our hearts when He becomes a part of us.  In that moment we realize Christ within us, our lives slowly become less about us and more about Him.

Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself.  Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.  Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men.  And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death on the cross.  Therefore God has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee shouuld bow,  of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should coonfess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Philippians 2:  3-11 NKJV

It is the true humble heart for others which puts the needs of  others above their own.  Instead of our own self preservation, it becomes more about the well being of others.  For it is by this very heart for others by which Christ Jesus selflessly gave Himself up that all might be saved.  How different the course of humanity had Jesus only thought of Himself!    As the well known hymm praises, "O to grace how great a debtor daily I'm constrained to be!  Let thy goodness now like a fetter, bind my wandering heart to thee."  Indeed, the selfless act of love which Jesus has done for us certainly would require a enormous debt to be paid.  That is, if Christ Jesus Himself had chosen to consider His own desires over those of others.  As it is, that sin debt which we accumulated has, through our Lords love, been paid in full!  The focus is no longer on me, but on Him.

~Scott~