OF course it was "for us": purely, and spiritually, and lovingly. That was its glory and beauty and power. He was not concerned for himself. He was the perfection of selflessness. His joy was the Father's glory, and the saving of others. If it had not been purely "for us," then it would not have been acceptable to God, for it would have been marred with selfishness.

And if we have - as we must have - the beautiful mind or spirit of Christ (without which we are "none of his": Rom. 8:9), then all we do will be for others. That is the whole power and meaning of his glorious example. There is no blacker, uglier sin than selfishness, self-seeking, self-advantage. People have no beauty or attraction of character if they do not utterly forget themselves, and devote their lives in love to the service and welfare of others.

Truly there are times and circumstances (and it comes at last to us all) in which outward opportunity and ability to do so may be very limited. But there is still always prayer, and the thoughts of the heart. God knows our inmost thoughts, whether they are selfish or selfless, self- enwrapped or all-embracing, though externally we may be totally immobilized and helpless.

There must be no thought of self: "Except a man deny himself..." Moses was not only willing but desirous to be blotted out for his people's sake (Ex. 32:32). So was Paul (Rom. 9:3).

But still, inevitably, we benefit from our goodness: for so immutable divine love and wisdom decrees. This is life and joy: all else is death. It is only by serving others that we purify ourselves from the deadly selfishness and self-centeredness of the flesh - the diabolos - and put it to death.

And so it was with Christ. He purified himself by a life-long, perfect sacrifice of holiness and obedience, even unto death, and thus won his own eternal perfection and salvation for us, that he might be the loving and joyful Captain of our salvation; that he might "bring many sons to glory"; that he might "see his seed, the travail of his soul (the labor of his life), and be satisfied."