I just coined the word. Can you guess its antonym, which is of long standing in the English language? Right! SELFISHNESS.
God's word exhorts us: "Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others." (Philippians 2:4). As we are being sanctified by grace we become less SELF-ISH and more OTHER-ISH.
Our natural tendency due to our fallen state is to be selfish - absorbed with our own interests, unconcerned with the interests of others, "looking out for number one," i.e. self.
What steps can the believer take to work with the Holy Spirit as He works within us to will and do of God's good pleasure per Philippians 2:13? How can we cultivate the fruit which His indwelling power produces per Galatians 5:22 - 26 (where we are exhorted not to "become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another"), and per Ephesians 5:9?
Whether we are of the extrovert or introvert type personality, we can can be intentional. That is, to set our minds and hearts to be deliberately otherish. For example, the one type can strive to get just a wee bit more outgoing and take initiative to engage a brother or sister in conversation. The other type might consider piping down a tad and strive to be a better listener.
And how often do we assert that we will pray about a need that comes to our attention? No doubt we have the best intentions, yet fail to pray. Recording someone's prayer request is a simple way to be otherish. Put that note taking app on your phone to a good Kingdom use!
Jonathan the son of Saul is a great Biblical example of otherishness. The record of his life in the books of first and second Samuel provides a lot of meditation material. To briefly summarize, Jonathan who was in line for an earthly throne put the interests of David before his own. He did this in love for God and for David, knowing that David was God's choice for the earthly throne and ultimately for His eternal kingdom purposes, which center on the One hailed in Scripture as the "Son of David."
When you lay down your life for another child of God, like Jonathan you are acting otherish for the sake of someone God has chosen for special and eternal kingdom purposes. You are following in the footsteps of the One Whose otherishness is incomparable.
For He Who knew no sin became sin for us, that in Him we might become the righteousness of God.