APPLICATION ARTICLE | John Maddocks | Jordan, Ontario
The call to follow Christ is a call to change – not just on the outside, but deep within the heart. It is not simply about attending church, knowing Scripture, or doing religious things. It is about becoming more like Jesus Christ. And one of the clearest ways we see His character is in His selflessness.
Selflessness is not something that comes naturally. Most of us, if we are honest, tend to think about ourselves first. We think about our time, our comfort, our needs, and our feelings. That is the way the world teaches us to live. But Jesus shows us a better way – a higher way. He teaches us how to live for others.
This kind of life is not easy, but it is deeply rewarding. And it is exactly the kind of life God calls us to live.
The Mind of Christ
The journey toward selflessness begins in the mind.
In Philippians 2:5–8, we are told, “Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus.” Then the passage explains how Jesus, though He was equal with God, did not hold onto His position. Instead, He humbled Himself and came to earth as a servant.
Think about that for a moment. Jesus had all authority. He had all power. He deserved all honour. Yet He chose humility. He did not come demanding respect. He did not come to be served. He came to serve.
That tells us something very important: selflessness starts with how we think. Before it shows up in our actions, it takes root in our attitude.
We must learn to think differently:
- Instead of asking, “What do I deserve?” we ask, “What can I give?”
- Instead of thinking, “How can I be noticed?” we think, “How can I help?”
- Instead of protecting our pride, we learn to practice humility.
Pride says, “It’s about me.” Selflessness says, “It’s about others.” If we want to grow spiritually, we must train our minds to think like Christ. That means letting go of selfish ambition and learning to value others.
The Servant Heart of Jesus
Jesus did not just talk about serving—He lived it every day. In Mark 10:45, He said, “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”
That one verse sums up His life. Everywhere Jesus went, He helped people.
- He touched lepers when others stayed away (Matthew 8:2–3)
- He spoke kindly to those who were rejected (John 4:7–26)
- He fed the hungry (Matthew 14:13-21)
- He comforted the grieving (John 11:33-35)
And perhaps one of the most powerful moments is found in John 13. On the night before His death, Jesus washed the feet of His disciples.
Now think about that. The Son of God knelt down and did the work of a servant. Then He said, “I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you” (John 13:15).
Selflessness is not just a big idea—it is something we practice in everyday life.
It shows up in simple things:
- Being patient when we are tired
- Listening when someone needs to talk
- Helping without being asked
- Encouraging someone who feels discouraged
These may seem like small acts, but they reflect a big heart. A selfless life is built one decision at a time.
The Sacrifice of Love
The greatest example of selflessness is the cross.
Romans 5:8 says, “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
Jesus did not wait for us to deserve His love. He gave Himself freely. He suffered. He was rejected. He was mocked. And He died—not for His own sins, but for ours.
That is true selflessness. It reminds us that love is not just a feeling—it is a choice. And often, it is a costly choice.
Being selfless may cost us:
- Our time
- Our comfort
- Our preferences
- Our pride
But love is willing to pay the price.
In Romans 12:10, we are told to “prefer one another.” That means we put others first. In
Galatians 6:2, we are told to “bear one another’s burdens.” That means we help carry the struggles of others. In Colossians 3:13, we are told to forgive—just as Christ forgave us.
These are not always easy things to do. But this is what it means to follow Jesus. Selflessness is not weakness. It is strength. It is choosing what is right, even when it is hard.
Dying to Self Every Day
Jesus made it clear that following Him requires daily commitment.
In Luke 9:23, He said, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.”
Notice the word “daily.” Selflessness is not something we do once. It is something we choose again and again.
Every day, we face decisions:
- Will I be patient, or will I lose my temper?
- Will I forgive, or will I hold a grudge?
- Will I serve, or will I focus only on myself?
Dying to self means letting go of our selfish desires and choosing God’s way instead. This does not mean we lose who we are. Instead, it means we become who God wants us to be.
As we grow, the fruit of the Spirit begins to show in our lives (Galatians 5:22-23): love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. These qualities grow when we stop living for ourselves and start living for God and others.
The Blessing of a Selfless Life
Here is something wonderful: selflessness leads to joy.
Jesus said in Acts 20:35, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.”
That may sound backward at first. The world tells us that happiness comes from getting more—more comfort, more success, more attention.
But Jesus teaches the opposite. True joy comes from giving. When we live only for ourselves, life feels empty. But when we serve others, life becomes meaningful.
Think about the times you have helped someone. Encouraged someone. Given your time or energy for someone else. Those are the moments that stay with you. That is because we were created to love.
God also sees every act of kindness. In Matthew 25:40, Jesus teaches that when we help others, it is as if we are helping Him.
Nothing is wasted. Every kind word, every act of service, every quiet sacrifice—it all matters.
Growing Into Christlikeness
Becoming selfless like Jesus does not happen overnight. It is a process.
There will be days when we struggle. There will be moments when selfishness wins. But we do not give up. We keep looking to Christ. We keep learning from His example. We keep asking God to shape our hearts.
Little by little, we begin to change.
- We become more patient
- More understanding
- More generous
- More forgiving
And over time, others begin to see something different in us. They see Christ.
A Life That Shines
We live in a world that is focused on self—self-promotion, self-image, self-interest. But a selfless life stands out. It shines.
When people see someone who is kind, humble, and giving, it gets their attention. It opens doors. It points them to something greater. It points them to Jesus. That is what our lives are meant to do.
Final Encouragement
Becoming selfless like Jesus Christ is not easy—but it is worth it. It brings peace to your heart. It strengthens your relationships. It honours God.
Start small. Look for one way each day to serve someone else. Speak kindly. Give generously. Forgive quickly. Help willingly.
And most importantly, keep your eyes on Jesus. The more you focus on Him, the more you will become like Him. And when that happens, your life will not only change—you will help change the lives of others as well.
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GROW magazine | April 2026 PDF
a work of the Limestone Church of Christ
Study Links: YouVersion | Bible Gateway | Blue Letter Bible
