Twin City church of Christ Blog
“Sept 12, 2024 - It's Not About Me”
Categories: 2024 Reading DevotionalsIt’s Not About Me
Reading: Romans 15:1-7
Our willingness to sacrifice our rights for the sake of our brother is part of a broader Christian worldview. “We who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves. Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to build him up”(Rom 15:1-2). If we believe that we are the stronger brother (see Rom 14:2), our strength should be shown in our patience and humility with those who are weaker. Rather than insisting on our right to do what we like (“to please ourselves”), we carefully consider the impact of our actions on others (“please his neighbor for his good, to build him up”). In this, we follow Jesus, who “did not please himself, but as it is written, ‘The reproaches of those who reproached you fell on me’”(Rom 15:3). Jesus’ entire life was consumed with the needs of those around him—not merely exercising his own rights, finding his own enjoyment, or expressing himself. Living like Jesus means it’s not about me.
Having cited from the Psalms, Paul reminds the Romans of the value of the Old Testament: “For what was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope”(Rom 15:4). The Old Testament Scriptures have value for us because they foreshadow and resonate with what is more fully revealed in Jesus, including Paul’s present emphasis on not living for ourselves. “Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God”(Rom 15:5-7). In the same way that Jesus has received us with kindness and patience, so we receive others. I seek eagerly to welcome the way I have been welcomed because it’s not about me.
It’s not about me. Following Jesus means that God’s will comes first and others’ needs come before my own. My rights, preferences, and opinions can be yielded if they cause harm or stumbling to others. I no longer live for myself. It’s not about me.
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One Thing to Think About: Why is selflessness and sacrifice so hard?
One Thing to Pray For: A heart to prioritize others over myself
