Love Is Not SelfishSample

The Power to Live an Unselfish Life

Hearing about a life of selflessness can leave us wondering: Is this even possible? If perfection is the standard, the answer is no. We still sin. At the root of every sin is selfishness—choosing our desires over God’s will. No one has ever sinned while loving God supremely in that moment. Every failure, every misstep, every wrong choice stems from putting ourselves first.

If we ask whether a life characterized by unselfishness is possible, the answer is absolutely yes. The new birth makes it possible. The presence of the Holy Spirit enables it. The sufficiency of Christ and His Word provide everything we need. Not only can we live this way—we must.

Trying to live selflessly without true transformation is miserable. A person can know doctrine, follow Christian routines, and appear godly, but without a heart changed by God, it’s all an empty shell. True Christianity isn’t about outward appearances; it’s about an inward reality. Do you want to live an unselfish life? Is it truly in your heart to put Christ’s will above your own? Because no one lives out what they don’t actually desire.

Only God can change our hearts to want what pleases Him. And only by His Spirit can we live in a way that reflects Christ. This isn’t something that happens by accident. Every day, we must choose to yield to the lordship of Jesus. We must submit our attitudes, decisions, and desires to His Word. If selfishness is sin, then dealing with it means more than recognizing it—it means confessing it, calling it what it is, and putting it to death.

Living this way requires action. It’s not enough to agree with the idea of selflessness—we have to step into it. Today, consider one area where selfishness has been guiding your choices. If you can’t think of one, ask God to reveal your hidden selfishness. Then, ask God to help you surrender it and take a step toward putting someone else’s needs before your own. Love isn’t passive, and selflessness doesn’t happen by accident. It begins with a willing heart and a choice to follow Christ’s example.