NONE OF SELF AND ALL OF THEE
"NONE OF SELF AND ALL OF THEE"
(by R.J. Evans)
There is a song that has always impressed me every time we sing it. It starts in the first stanza expressing an attitude of selfishness---"All of self and none of thee." With each stanza there is improvement; the second stanza speaks of "Some of self and some of Thee." The third improves even more by talking of "Less of self and more of Thee." But the forth leads up to the unselfish attitude we should all have toward God by expressing this sentiment: "None of self and all of Thee." The fourth stanza of the song is the goal all Christians should be striving for in reference to serving God.
We must always put Christ and the advancement of His Cause first and foremost in our lives (Matt. 6:33). This removes the selfish philosophy of so many in the world---"always look out for number one;" "do you own thing;" "have it your way." While the attitudes just mentioned reflect the world's attitudes, the Lord teaches just the opposite. The life He lived is the perfect example of such. He was abused and cruelly mistreated for righteousness' sake. And yet, "when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously" (1 Pet. 2:23). He taught us to "love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who persecute you" (Matt. 5:44).
Jesus was "gentle and lowly in heart" (Matt. 11:29). The Word of God teaches that we, too, must be meek and humble. "Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for 'God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble.' Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time" (1 Pet. 5:5-6).
Faithfulness to the Lord is a life of ministry and service to others. Jesus was the epitome of this when He left heaven, took on the form of servant and became man, humbled Himself, and became obedient even to the point of death on the cross (Phil. 2:5-8). This same unselfish attitude was taught to Christians by the Apostle Paul when he said: "Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others" (Phil. 2:3-4).
So the next time you feel it has to be your way, or no way, remember the words of Jesus--- "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me" (Lk. 9:23). Selfishness has no place in the service of the Lord. In other words: "NONE OF SELF AND ALL OF THEE."
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