We then who are strong ought to bear with the weaknesses of the weak, and not to please ourselves. Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, leading to edification. For even Christ did not please Himself; but as it is written, “The reproaches of those who reproached You fell on Me.” Ro15.2-3
We are told to seek the welfare of our neighbor, not because he or she is deserving, or because we like them. It is just the opposite in fact. We are to adjust ourselves, however it is required, to help our neighbor and especially when they are in a bad way because of some failing of their own.
I once watched a documentary of two alpine climbers. After reaching the summit, one got careless, made a foolish move, fell and severely broke his leg. Rather than leave his climbing partner behind, he put his own life at risk and did whatever it took to get his companion down off the mountain. Imagine two men crossing a desert, one, an out of shape smoker and the other a disciplined athlete. When the former falls behind, the latter may have every right to save himself but instead he chooses to fall behind in order to save his friend. This falling behind, this putting your life at risk for another, not because they deserve it, but precisely because they don’t, is what it means to be Christlike.
Christ invites all who trust Him to follow Him. He forgives, we forgive also. He forgives again and again, so we must. He serves, we serve also. He did not please Himself but bore the unjust railings of men against His Father, so we too are to put up with the failings of others if it results in God‘s glory. And, God has make it so very clear, that to seek the good of another is His great pleasure and glory.
What is being said here, is that instead of pleasing ourselves, demanding our rights, we voluntarily suffer because of the failings of another. We fall behind to help them forward. What else would be expected from a follower of Christ? 5/23/07 ts
Just me trying to be honest with God.
