What if we laid down our lives for one another as Jesus did for us?
What if we actually saw our brothers and sisters the way Jesus sees us – as greater than ourselves?
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. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus. Phil 2:3-5 ESV
Me, Myself, and I
I’ve lived alone for over twenty-two years—with no children or prospects—just me, myself, and I. This single lifestyle has cultivated an epidemic of self-centeredness in my heart. Being the youngest in the family didn’t help matters either.
In my twenties, I tried to make my way in retail management, figuring that was my best chance at a decent income after dropping out of college. I still attended church on Sundays, but the rest of the week I lived for myself: working during the day and playing video games at night.
By my thirties, I became disillusioned with that lifestyle and the 50+ hour workweek it produced. And the emptiness of living solely for myself started to weigh on me.
From Video Games to Life Groups
Pursuing Jesus and whatever plans He’s had for my life has created an unusual side effect. I found myself trading my video games for life groups; swapping Elder Scrolls characters for refreshments and deep fellowship.
Because in 2020, when COVID was at its peak, I attended church every time the doors were open. Although the number of church-goers at our church dwindled significantly that year, I felt the need to remain faithful in my attendance. I was all in with Jesus and just wanted to be where He was.
Over time I started to take notice of the people around me—those also faithfully attending church each Sunday. We all initiated relationships, and those around me became my family. I looked forward to seeing them every Sunday and soon found myself in multiple life groups, making connections and getting to know more people.
Doing Life with Others
Coming out of hiding and living life in community has compelled me to confront some hidden issues in my heart. When we become adept at keeping people at arm’s length, as I did, it takes longer to learn virtues such as patience, forgiveness, and longsuffering.
The hardest part for me has been letting my guard down, shedding my armor, and allowing my fellow believers behind the curtain to see the real me.
Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too. Phil 2:3-5 NLT
When we try to impress others, we place the focus on ourselves and not Jesus. And we begin to perform around others instead of living and making decisions from a place of truth.
When we’re humble enough to just be ourselves around our church family, we find freedom and peace. We become free to live out Philippians 2:3-5, genuinely taking an interest in the person we’re interacting with. We truly see them, looking them in the eye and listening without thinking about what we’re going to say next.
Humility takes our focus off ourselves and we forget about pretending we have it all together. And believe me, pretending can be exhausting.
Jesus: The Ultimate Servant
Jesus stripped everything divine about His nature to take a lowly, humble position on this earth. He lived to serve. When the crowds relentlessly pursued Him, their interests became more important to Him. He had compassion on them. He forgave. He loved. He said what the Father wanted Him to say, not what He thought would gain Him favor. Nothing about the assignment He was given on this earth glorified Himself, but God the Father.
For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many. Mark 10:45 (NIV)
What happens when we pursue loving one another this way?
When we see others as greater than ourselves, we realize there’s already One who sees us. He’s witnessed every sacrifice, every moment we’ve stepped out of the spotlight, every time we’ve felt unseen and unheard. He knows.
When we lay down our pride or relinquish our right to vengeance or justice, He sees and understands. And when we surrender our hurt and pain to Him, we become free. Jesus takes those heavy burdens and leaves us with His peace – a peace that’s so attractive to a lost and hurting world.
Unity and Awaken the Dawn
Last month, churches from counties across the Texas panhandle gathered at the iconic cross in Groom, Texas, for over fifty-two hours of nonstop worship, prayer, and praise. During this time, I had the opportunity to fellowship with brothers and sisters I didn’t know I had.
And there was only one agenda: Jesus. That experience led me to begin letting go of my judgments of others in the faith. For one weekend, we collectively decided that knowing Jesus as the Son of God, Lord, King, and Savior was enough. I realized that true followers of Jesus exist in all denominations, both Protestant and Catholic, just as non-followers do.
I also heard the most beautiful sermon on communion given by the Catholic groundskeeper of the cross in Groom. A mass-attending Catholic church member stood before a gathering of mostly Protestant Christians and taught about communion, leading us through the scriptures one by one. It was truly inspiring.
How to Think of Others as Greater Than Yourself in Pursuit of Unity
1. Pray and Ask Jesus to Show You His Heart for Others.
I was once adamant about getting my Catholic boss to come to Jesus because I didn’t believe he was saved. I didn’t bother to ask him about his salvation story. If I had, I might have found an opportunity to form a friendship with a brother in Christ.
Pray for people and listen to them. Listen to their story, hear them out.
2. Let Jesus Heal You Every Day.
When you come out of hiding and live life in community, you will come across some hard things to overcome. Hurt, disappointment, misunderstanding, unforgiveness, bitterness, competition, jealousy, and betrayal. I sometimes call my morning prayers “Morning Therapy,” because I have to sit with Jesus until I get free from whatever has me caught up in my emotions.
I sit and wait, asking Him to search my heart and reveal the hidden things – then I acknowledge that He’s with me, and He hears me. I know that no matter the turmoil of emotional distress I may or may not be feeling, He’s still there with me. Always and forever.
3. Choose.
Choose to open up and embrace your brothers and sisters in your church and of other denominations. Choose to allow them room in your heart as you pursue Jesus, being bound together with love for one another.
“Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.” Romans 12:10 ESV
The gospel creates a unity of faith with our Father, our Savior, and our fellow believers. Eph 4:13
“And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.” Col 3:14
