Put Off - Put On: Selfishness

Self-seeking people sometimes sneak up on us!  When we finally get into the right-seeking frame of mind, that is – putting others first, along comes someone with selfish motives.  We really hear Paul’s heart when he wrote about Timothy, “For I have no one like him, who will be genuinely concerned for your welfare. For they all seek their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ.” (Philippians 2:20-21)  Yes, Paul, we feel your pain and dream also of being so focused.  Oh, to die to self – what a painfully difficult death yet so beautifully fruitful unto Christ.  “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit.” (John 12:24)  Banishing selfishness from our lives starts by denying what I want and agreeing to what Christ wants.  After all, this life is not about me!  Simple and profoundly: I die – Christ lives!  PUT OFF selfishness – PUT ON self-denial.