There is only one real sin in the world - self. The other things that we call sins are the result of exalting the self over others. People place themselves at the centre of their own little universe. Look around at your workplace, family, city, and religious community - there should be plenty of evidence that this is so. But Paul proposes the example of Jesus as a cure for selfishness. Jesus gave everything away - his divine status, his power, dignity, and honour - and took on not only human form but that of a slave. He remained faithful to his mission even to death on the cross. He did all of this for the sake of love, which is treating the happiness and well-being of others as of equal importance as your own. He did it to save others, and because of this God exalted him and gave him supreme power and honour. We are selfish out of fear, but in loving and giving we lose nothing and gain everything.

Things are not always as they seem. Some people are quite skilled at pious and beautiful 'God-talk' but beneath the surface they are nowhere near God. This is what we call 'lip service' - it costs us nothing and impresses others. On the other hand, there are those whose lives are a mess, who seem to have made every mistake in the book, and who might be very rebellious in their attitude towards God. But often this is to mask a wounded soul or a broken heart. Many are desperately seeking forgiveness, love, and acceptance. That is the reason that so many 'sinners' in the gospels responded to Jesus eagerly and joyfully.