In a me-first world, Jesus taught that the way up is the way down. The most extraordinary people that have ever graced the face of this earth are those who lived as servants and gave their lives for the benefit of others! Jesus said, “He who is the greatest among you will be the servant of all.” Matthew 23:11 Therefore, the greatest among us are those who take the low road of servanthood. Apostle Peter said, “Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time.” 1Peter 5:5b-6

Living for self is the opposite of the ways of God. True fulfillment is found in serving others. A life of self is full of pride and does not access the grace of God. Apostle James said, “But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” James 4:6    

The world is teaching us to focus on self, love ourselves, look out for ourselves, and above all, put ourselves first. On the other hand, Jesus taught us to deny ourselves and honor others above ourselves. Apostle Paul wrote a precious letter to his spiritual son, Timothy. He told him that the first mark of the terrible times of the last days would be that people would be lovers of themselves. Take a look.

2 Timothy 3:1-5 But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. 2People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, 4treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— 5having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with such people.

The fruit of living for self is all kinds of evil. The fruit of being filled with God’s love is the ability to empower others. A person who is a lover of self is a selfish person. The love of God, on the other hand, is selfless, always putting others first. Our world is filled with bitterness, anger, and strife because of the self-centered nature of the carnal man. In contrast, the life of God empowers people to live devoted to one another in love and to honor others above themselves. Rom 12:10

Jesus told us that anyone who wanted to be great would have to first become the servant of all. Mark 9:35 According to Jesus, it is the way I serve my wife, children, and those around me that determines the greatness of my life. One of the ways I can gauge my Christianity is to assess whether my focus is on serving those around me or how they serve me. What a difference this would make him our world!

Oh, that the love of God would overcome us! I feel as if I can hear a beckoning call from God to the body of Christ. He is calling us to humble ourselves to live as his servants of love so that the world can experience what true greatness is! Oh, my dear friend, it’s time to go higher! God is calling us to greatness! Yes! He is calling us to the highest life, the life of being the servant of all! Think about it – according to Jesus; there’s one thing you can know for certain…

THE WAY UP IS THE WAY DOWN