Developing Selflessness

One of my favorite passages in the New Testament is Philippians 2:2-4. There Paul writes, “Complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. 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.”

I think I like these words so much because of the way they focus on the virtue of selflessness and connect it to the life of the Lord Jesus Christ. Paul challenges us to elevate others above ourselves and to do it in the same way that Jesus does it for us. He willingly sacrificed himself for each one of us. We are to do the same for one another. And, we are to do it out of love. That’s why Jesus did it!

This reminds me of a story I heard from a World War II Veteran named Roy several years ago. He was fighting in the Battle of the Bulge in the Ardennes Forest of Belgium when a German explosive device rolled into his shallow foxhole. One of his fellow soldiers immediately dove onto the device to muffle its blow. As soon as he covered it with his body, it exploded. The blast killed the young soldier instantaneously. His sacrifice, however, saved the lives of Roy and the two other young men in the foxhole. I’ll never forget the emotion that welled up in Roy’s eyes and voice as he told that story of that heroic young soldier. He didn’t bat an eye. He did what had become natural to him. He sacrificed himself for Roy and the other men.

I’ve talked to many soldiers who would have done the exact same thing. Why? Because they were trained to put the needs and desires of others above their own. This is what all of us should be doing as well. Selflessness does not come naturally to any of us, but it can be developed in all of us through faith, intentional decision-making, and action. Pastor Tim Keller has said, “Selflessness is thinking of yourself less.” If we decide to do that, then we will consider others more highly than we do ourselves over time. And, I believe we’d be happier people and build a better society because of it. Don’t you?

This post was written for the Wednesday, May 27, 2020 edition of Chester News and Reporter.