“Jesus – Others – Yourself”
Categories: Church of Christ Bulletin ArticlesSomeone once made an acrostic lesson, showing that this is the make-up of true JOY. the point was that it works in this way, and it works right, and that it can work in no other way. Many Christians can echo what an old song said, “I Have Found It So!”
Surely the Perfect Man knew what JOY was, and we do indeed find Jesus working for OTHERS constantly. It was the Father’s thoughts of OTHERS – for us – that brought about the love and mercy now shown to man (Titus 3:4). Christ is seen as the one who loved us, and gave himself up for us (Gal. 2:20), and here was Christ’s thoughts for OTHERS.
When we obey the gospel of the Christ, and apply ourselves fully to his teaching, we will find that Jesus is indeed first, and we will also find that OTHERS will come before self. thus, that JOY! All preaching and teaching, with the great preparation that precedes it, is for the benefit of OTHERS. Those who engage in visitation and personal evangelism work do so with thoughts of OTHERS. When we visit the sick and shut-ins, it is in fulfillment of thoughts we’ve had for OTHERS. When death touches the congregation, the visits, prayers, food preparation and other services are done because the saints have thoughts of OTHERS. And there is the help to the needy…the showers to bestow good-will and gifts upon those with occasions of joy upon them…the goods provided those in childrens’ homes…thoughts, yea of OTHERS!
And the song puts it thus:
“Others, Lord, Yes, OTHERS,
Let this my motto be;
Help me to live for OTHERS,
That I may live like thee!
Some, sad to say, find no satisfaction in their daily walk, and have no really good feeling of Christian accomplishment, because they live selfishly. OTHERS seldom enter their minds; all revolves around “I, Me, My.” We had said earlier that Christianity won’t work in that fashion. When one gets tired of the self-centered mode, he can begin to correct it that day – do something for OTHERS!
THE SOUTHWESTERNER, May 17, 1989