Confounded Pleasing

“We who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves. Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to build him up. For Christ did not please himself, but as it is written, ‘The reproaches of those who reproached you fell on me.^‘ For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.” Romans 15:1-7

“Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.” Philippians 2:3-4

How drastically different is scriptural admonition from the mantras of our present age! Please others instead of ourselves? For their good and not our own? Who would dare? May it never be! The world tells us to follow our hearts, tend to self-care, be and do whatever we want, fulfill personal dreams, live at the selfie lens. But Jesus came to upend worldly thinking. He says we are not of this world, and His word calls us to be transformed in our thinking and actions. Pleasing Him takes an altogether different perspective than what the world sells us today. (John 17:14-16; Romans 12:1-2; 1 John 2:15-17)

How do we go about maintaining a godly view and Christ-like mission? The message is for those who are strong. It’s vital we remain strong, working spiritual muscle in devotion, choices, and charity. We must train ourselves to apply hard truths: we will suffer reproach but in doing so share the sufferings of Christ, we will need to endure hardship, we will struggle against but can be victorious over selfish flesh. And, we must simply obey. No procrastination, no excuses. To please God we must do what He says. The more we practice putting others before ourselves, the more natural and satisfying it will be. (Philippians 3:10)

Are there specific areas we are prone to putting self first, no matter what? What habits or indulgences do we guard as ‘no touch’ to the Lord? Where are we refusing His Spirit’s conviction or refining presence? Whom have we relegated to ‘after me’ care and attention? What do our expenditures of time and finances tell about our priorities of affection?

“Love divine, all loves excelling,
Joy of Heav’n to Earth come down,
Fix in us thy humble dwelling,
All thy faithful mercies crown;
Jesus, thou art all compassion,
Pure, unbounded love thou art;
Visit us with thy salvation,
Enter ev’ry trembling heart.

Breathe, O breathe thy loving Spirit
Into ev’ry troubled breast;
Finish, now, thy new creation,
Make us pure and spotless;
Take away our bent to sinning;
To serve thee as thy host above;
Thee we would be always blessing,
Glory in thy perfect love.” ~Charles Wesley (1747)

Lord, may I daily love and prefer You and others before myself.