Jesus' Self-giving Our Example

I once heard a pastor preach that blessings which don’t turn to praise become fuel for feeding our pride and selfishness. Those words have stuck with me for a long time now. How often am I so caught up in my world and my needs that even when blessings come along in life, I forget to turn them into praise? This is the profound tension at the center of the Christian life–that we are called to die to self in order to truly live. Christ demonstrated this, culminating in the ultimate act of selflessness on the cross. This is my confession and struggle–despite years of following Christ, my default setting remains stubbornly self-centered.

Selfishness is a constant battle for me because discipline and determination are deeply ingrained in my character. These traits, which might sound impressive on paper, actually trap me in a cycle of hyper-focus and rigidity that leaves little room for others. I move through life with to-do lists and schedules, feeling accomplished when I check items off but often blind to the people God places in my path. What I’ve learned, through struggle and surrender, is that in letting go of my rigid deadlines, I create sacred space—space for the Holy Spirit to grow compassion, grace, and gentleness in me; space that makes it easier to die to myself and look to the needs of others; space that allows me to hear that still, small voice directing me toward someone who needs encouragement or help. In those moments when I set aside my carefully constructed plans and truly see someone else, I catch a glimpse of what it means to follow Christ’s example.

The gap between who I am and who I’m called to be often feels impossibly wide. My self-protective instincts kick in at the slightest inconvenience–an interruption, an inconvenient request, a need that threatens to derail my plans. In these moments, my heart reveals itself, and what it reveals often leaves me ashamed. God designs divine appointments disguised as interruptions, yet I rush past them, blinded by my own agenda. What began as blessings become entitlements when I fail to acknowledge God as the source, reinforcing my self-centered perspective. This tension between flesh and spirit creates the battlefield where selflessness must be fought for daily. While I can barely sacrifice my comfort, Christ surrendered everything. His example challenges me to the core, revealing how deeply rooted self-interest is in my heart.

The ultimate example of Christ’s selflessness is found not just in the moment he surrendered his life on the cross, but in the purpose behind that sacrifice. Jesus laid down his life not only to forgive me of my sins, but to help me understand my sinful nature and then work within me to transform it. The cross was both payment and pattern—he didn’t simply die to pay the debt for my sins; he died to show me what selfless love truly looks like and to empower me to live differently. Through his indwelling Spirit, Christ continues this work of transformation, gently revealing areas where self still reigns and inviting me to follow his example of putting others first. When he washed the disciples’ feet, touched the untouchables, gave attention to the overlooked, and spread his arms wide on the cross, Jesus was demonstrating the life he calls me to live—one that reflects him, focuses on others, and loves sacrificially without counting the cost. His selflessness wasn’t just a historical event but a pattern for my daily choices, challenging me to die to myself so that others might experience his love through me.

I acknowledge that becoming less selfish is work I must engage in daily. My prayer is that over time, God transforms my heart so that selflessness becomes my default rather than selfishness. This isn’t a one-time decision but a lifetime of small surrenders, each one bringing me closer to reflecting Christ’s heart for others. And in this journey, I’ve come to realize I’m not alone.

Perhaps you, too, are walking this path of transformation. Take courage in your own journey toward selflessness. As we look to the cross together, we’re reminded that it stands as the ultimate symbol of love that puts others first. Christ’s sacrifice continues to challenge and inspire us today. When the weight of our self-centered tendencies feels overwhelming, we can fix our eyes on Jesus, who for the joy set before him endured the cross. In our daily choices to set aside our preferences, time, and comfort for others, we participate in this same pattern of sacrificial love. And when we fail—because we all do—may we find grace to begin again, drawing strength from the one who gave everything so that we might learn to do the same. The path of selflessness is never easy, but it leads to the fullness of life that Christ promised—a life marked by love that reflects his own.