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The battle to put others before ourselves is real. It totally goes against our human nature. We could probably trace it back to childhood when we took toys from another child or were taught to share them. Now, even though we may learn to share and be taught to think of others before ourselves, to truly do so goes against our nature as human beings.

It is our nature to pursue the things we desire and to not keep the desires and feelings of others in the forefront of our minds. When we come to Jesus for our salvation that desire is one of the things the Holy Spirit convicts us of and then we are challenged to live sacrificially as Christ did.

The Apostle Paul, in his first letter to the church in Corinth, had to confront them about their selfish attitude. In chapter 10 Paul chastises them on how they were participating in the Lord’s supper. Some were coming to the table and began to gorge themselves on food and get drunk with wine, while others had nothing and were going hungry. The other issue is that many in the church in Corinth came from pagan religions and they were bringing them into the early church. Paul reminded them that they are not just missing the mark with Jesus, but they are still drinking the cup of demons.

The challenge Paul then presented is that in everything we do, do it all for the glory of God. We see how the Apostle approaches life among others in I Corinthians 10:31-33, “Whether then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. 32 Give no offense either to Jews or to Greeks or to the church of God; 33 just as I also please all men in all things, not seeking my own profit but the profit of the many, so that they may be saved.”

Paul’s point is that in everything we do in life, our actions should not be aimed at drawing attention to ourselves or seeking our own comfort. Instead, they should be focused on bringing glory and honor to Jesus Christ. In fact, Paul gives the reason we must live this way. So that whoever we meet will not see us but see Jesus. If they see Jesus instead of us, then hopefully they will come to know Jesus as their own Savior and Lord.

As believers, we are called to live in a way that, when people watch us, they do not see us, but they see Christ. In seeing Christ, they will desire to have the blessed assurance that we possess. When we focus on our own comfort and desires, nothing is inviting because others already possess that.

So, as we continue our walk in this world, let our desire always, always be to proclaim Jesus and not ourselves.