When you make the decision to be a Christian you are deciding to be Christ-like. None of us does this perfectly, but it is our goal and the ideal to which we aspire.
Nothing about Jesus was about him. If he was about himself he would never have left heaven to come to earth to be spat upon, despised, rejected, beaten, abused and crucified for us.
What about you and me? Do we put ourselves before others? Every encounter with others inside and outside this body of Christ is an opportunity for them to see Jesus living in us. We are a light set on a hill to attract others to Jesus.
If we are cold and uncaring and/or refuse to bend a little to make life better for others we are not being Christ-like. For example, watch out for others in traffic. That guy who just did something that seems foolish to you may have just received some sort of life-changing, earth-shattering news (job, disease, death in the family) and be a bit distracted. Kindness from you is needed and selflessness must prevail.
That person who is wondering the halls – or worse – sitting in “your seat,” may be a visitor and could be uncomfortable, afraid or feel awkward. Kindness is needed and selflessness must prevail. Go and make them feel welcomed, cared about, and loved. Show them the love of Christ who lives in you.
Hopefully your actions at such times will NOT contribute to the loss of someone’s soul but rather to their salvation.
“With humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves” (Philippians 2:3, NASB).
“In everything, therefore, treat people the same way you want them to treat you, for this is the Law and the Prophets” (Matthew 7:12, NASB).
“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden” (Matthew 5:14, NASB).
“I have become all things to all men, that I may by all means save some” (1 Corinthians 9:22, NASB).
“Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by this some have entertained angels without knowing it” (Hebrews 13:2,NASB).
For the elders, Gary Woodall