"Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus."
"For even Christ did not please Himself." Romans 15:3
Too legibly are the characters written on the fallen heart
and a fallen world—"All seek their own!" Selfishness is the great law of our
degenerated nature. When the love of God was dethroned from the soul, SELF
vaulted into the vacant seat, and there, in some one of its Proteus shapes,
continues to reign.
Jesus stands out for our imitation a grand solitary
exception in the midst of a world of selfishness. His entire life was one
abnegation of self; a beautiful living embodiment of that love which "seeks
not her own." He who for others turned water into wine, and provided a
miraculous supply for the fainting thousands in the wilderness, exerted no
such miraculous power for His own necessities. During His forty days'
temptation, no table did He spread for Himself, no booth did He rear for His
unpillowed bead. Twice do we read of Him shedding tears—on neither occasion
were they for Himself. The approach of His cross and passion, instead of
absorbing Him in His own approaching sufferings, seemed only to elicit new and
more gracious promises to His people. When His enemies came to apprehend Him,
His only stipulation was for His disciples' release—"Let these go their way."
In the very act of departure, with all the boundless glories of eternity in
sight, they were still all His care.
Ah, how different is the spirit of the world! With how many
is day after day only a new oblation to that idol which never darkened with
its shadow His holy heart; pampering their own wishes; "envying and grieving
at the good of a neighbor;" unable to brook the praise of a rival;
establishing their own reputation on the ruins of another; thus engendering
jealousy, discontent, peevishness, and every kindred unholy passion.
"But you have not so learned Christ!" Reader! have you been
sitting at the feet of Him who "pleased not Himself?" Are you "dying
daily;"—dying to self as well as to sin? Are you animated with this as
the high end and aim of existence—to lay out your time, and talents, and
opportunities, for God's glory, and the good of your fellow-men; not seeking
your own interests, but rather relinquishing these, if, by doing so, another
will be made happier, and your Savior honored? You may not have it in your
power to manifest this "mind of Jesus" on a great scale, by enduring great
sacrifices; nor is this required. His denial of self had about it no repulsive
austerity; but you can evince its holy influence and sway, by innumerable
little offices of kindness and goodwill; taking a generous interest in the
welfare and pursuits of others, or engaging and cooperating in schemes for the
mitigation of human misery.
Avoid ostentation—another repulsive form of self. Be
willing to be in the shade; sound no trumpet before you. The evangelist
Matthew made a great feast, which was graced by the presence of Jesus; in his
Gospel he says not one word about it!
Seek to live more constantly and habitually under the
constraining influence of the love of Jesus. Selfishness withers and dies
beneath Calvary.
Ah, believer! if Christ had "pleased Himself," where would
you have been this day?