Most important decisions in life come down to a question of sacrifice. I am either deciding to put another's interests ahead of my own (sacrifice) or to put my interests first (self).
A common example of this is a guy who selfishly lies to a girl he wants to get with. The girl selfishly ignores all good sense because she wants a relationship (she deserves it!) and lets the guy have his way with her - afraid saying no will send him packing (which would be the smart move).
Through their selfishness they have sex and conceive. The baby is not at fault, but their selfishness will put themselves before the well-being of the human child they created when they choose to end this precious life. After the terrible deed is done, they go on to make more damaging decisions all for the sake of ‘self’.
With the One True God there is a different way:
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. (Philippians 2:3-4)
We do this for others because Christ has already done this for us:
You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had.
Though he was God,
he did not think of equality with God
as something to cling to.
Instead, he gave up his divine privileges;
he took the humble position of a slave
and was born as a human being.
When he appeared in human form,
he humbled himself in obedience to God
and died a criminal’s death on a cross. (Philippians 2:5-8)
#LoveMatters