| “We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves.” |
| —Romans 15:1 |
We who follow Christ have a unique perspective on life. While all around us our culture has become more and more self-centered, reactionary, lacking in civility, and downright mean, we “Christ’s-ones” must focus our most positive and loving attention on others, instead of on ourselves.
Our culture has created generation after generation of self-pleasers. But, we who strive to walk in the footsteps of our Savior must learn to constantly deny our own selfish needs and wants and, instead, put others first. The Apostle Paul wrote about this very topic in Romans 15:1-3:
We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves.
Each of us should please our neighbors for their good, to build them up.
For even Christ did not please himself but, as it is written: “The insults of those who insult you have fallen on me.”
If our Lord and King was willing to bear the insults hurled at Him, and if He has instructed us to do likewise, as His followers can we not learn to set aside our own selfish desires and focus on extending His love to those in need around us? I believe we can and we must. We must allow the Holy Spirit to transform the focus of our lives, turning the spotlight from ourselves and shining the Light of Christ’s Presence within us on others.
Let us submit our selfish wills to God this day. Let us turn our hearts, filled with our Savior’s love, toward those in need around us.
Based on a blog originally posted on Friday, May 27, 20166
