The Passion Translation says, “Be free from pride-filled opinions, for they will only harm your cherished unity. Don’t allow self-promotion to hide in your hearts, but in authentic humility put others first and view others as more important than yourselves. Abandon every display of selfishness. Possess a greater concern for what matters to others instead of your own interests. And consider the example that Jesus, the Anointed One, has set before us. Let his mindset become your motivation.”
‘Put others first and view others as more important than yourselves’ – this is such a powerful New Covenant principle… in these times where many individuals are seeking to elevate themselves above others, in the kingdom of God, the Lord wants us to esteem others better than ourselves – not to elevate ourselves and our own interests above others, or even to seek equality, but to lift others above yourself, to make their interests, wants, desires and needs more important than your own. Let the mindset of Jesus become your motivation.
As we serve others, elevate others, prioritize others and extend grace to the undeserving, God will lift us up, promote us and increase our sphere of influence. Jesus led the way in laying down His life for others, and in elevating and esteeming others as more important than Himself – as we follow His example and embrace His mindset it will prove to be a pathway to great blessing!
Self-promotion, selfishness and pride are birthed out of pain, neglect, abuse and low self-esteem. Believers that have endured these things need healing and wholeness before they will be able to embrace the New Covenant mindset of esteeming others as better than themselves. They have come to the conclusion that if they do not look out for number one, and put themselves first, that nobody else will! This has become the way of the world, but it is not the way of the kingdom of God!
If you have endured rejection, neglect, abuse and have been continually put down in your past, you need healing! The good news is that healing and wholeness is available through Christ! Ask Jesus to pour in His oil and His wine today… the kind that restores your soul – partake of communion and as you do, receive healing and wholeness… receive a new heart, receive a prosperous soul by grace, through faith, in Jesus Name!
As a new, whole, blood-washed creature in Christ, put on the mindset of Christ, casting down all selfishness, all pride and all self-promotion - put others first and view others as more important than yourselves. Possess a greater concern for what matters to others instead of your own interests, and as you do, get ready for God to promote you in a greater way then you have ever dreamed!
Blessings on you, Nick
