Obtaining true freedom through Christ involves giving without expecting in return. When we can adopt this attitude of selflessness, we place ourselves in the position to help others and ultimately ourselves. This abandonment of self paradoxically provides us with all that we need through Christ. This principle of doing Gods bidding and then receiving blessing as a result is illustrated in the book of Psalms: "For the LORD God is a sun and shield; the LORD bestows favor and honor. No good thing does he withhold from those who walk uprightly." (Psalms 84:1)
The real question is whether or not we can divorce ourselves of morbid reflection and/or self-pity? If we can, we will be catapulted into God’s realm of unconditional love and favor. By not expecting anything for our service, God rewards us with the greatest gift of all. This gift is the love for God and others and it releases us from the bondage of self. It surpasses human understanding in breadth, width, depth and height.
We can then begin to move from a sinful and deceitful heart, to a man or a woman who pursues God’s own heart. This heart shift from a fixation on self, to freedom in helping others, is nothing short of miraculous. Allowing the Lord to change us is helped or hindered by our level of willingness, sometimes this transformation happens rapidly, and sometimes slowly, but nevertheless, God’s Word does not come back void in our lives.