While in the Air Force, assigned to John Hay Air Station, Philippines, I was in charge of a huge tree planting project. Everyone was asked to join in and I encouraged my engineering section to do their part saying “There is no more unselfish act than planting a tree.” No, I’m not a “tree hugger” (environmental activist), but the seedlings we planted that day wouldn’t benefit us, but future generations. Yes, planting those trees were our unselfish acts.
Located a mile high in the Cordilleras, John Hay is known for cooler temperatures and pine tree covered mountains. People from the lowlands go there to get some relief from the tropical heat found in most of the country. Sadly, too many pine trees were being cut down to make way for homes, businesses and progress. When the trees are cut, the mountains can’t handle the heavy rainfall the area gets, causing floods and catastrophic landslides. 30+ years later, I hope our efforts paid off. If we failed, many people will suffer the consequences.
That is something like when GOD “gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16 KJV). GOD sacrificed so much for our benefit and the only thing He got from us is a relationship. In fact, GOD won’t even get that from most people, because they rejected His precious offer.
GOD knew we could never be good enough and He couldn’t lower his high standards. He wanted a relationship with us, but our sin was in the way. We were born into sin, couldn’t get out and it was killing us. GOD made the way for us to be saved and our bodies healed by the unselfish act of sending JESUS to suffer and die for us.
It was unselfish for GOD to sacrifice His son and for JESUS to submit himself to bear our sins and die on the cross. JESUS is GOD and was there when the world was formed. He only gained pain and suffering when He came down from Heaven to redeem us. He was broken for our healing and died that we might live. The most amazing thing was “while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Rom 5:8 KJV) with no guarantee that we would accept and benefit from His unselfish act.
Because of JESUS’s unselfish acts, many have been saved from their sins and were healed by the stripes he took. Sadly, many more rejected His offer and wasted His unselfish acts. Did someone die in their sins because you didn’t tell them about JESUS? You may not see a personal benefit from witnessing to others, because “there is no more unselfish act than telling someone about JESUS.” Your own salvation was made possible through unselfish acts of JESUS who asked Peter, “Lovest thou me?” and said “Feed my sheep” (John 21:17 KJV). If we fail to act, many will suffer the eternal consequences of our selfishness.
Wayne Lance (2020)