It is human nature to seek our own comfort, defend our own rights, and prioritize our own preferences. We live in a world that constantly encourages self-fulfillment: Do what makes you happy, protect your peace, and focus on yourself. Yet, scripture teaches us that when we put others first, we are becoming more like Jesus. He never did anything that was self-serving. While He was God in the flesh, having all the temptations that any man would have, He never gave in to the flesh. He sought to please His Father and serve others above Himself. Yet, the Apostle Paul presents a radically different vision for Christian living—one that turns our natural inclinations upside down.
In Romans 15:1-3, Paul calls those who are “strong” in faith not to leverage their freedom for self-gratification, but to use their strength to carry the burdens of others. True spiritual strength isn’t demonstrated by winning arguments, standing on our rights, or asserting our freedom. It is measured by our willingness to stoop down, show patience, and bear with the weaknesses and struggles of those around us. It is a call to serve others.
Romans 15:1-3 “We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves. Let every one of us please his neighbor for his good to edification. For even Christ pleased not himself; but, as it is written, The reproaches of them that reproached thee fell on me.”
Pleasing others isn’t about flattery or becoming a people-pleaser who compromises the truth. Our motive is to do it “for his good to edification.” This means what we do for them should build them up. The goal of love is constructive. It seeks the spiritual growth, encouragement, and well-being of others, even when it requires an inconvenience for us.
In Philippians chapter 2, Paul uses Jesus as an example of true humility to show us how we are to treat others. Philippians 2:4 commands us not to be selfish by being overly concerned about ourselves, but to have a desire for the well-being and spiritual growth of others. As Christians, it is our duty to serve others. We are to fight against this attitude of “me-first.” When we are consumed with pleasing God, we will automatically want to encourage, help, and build up our fellow Christians.
This act of obedience will cost time, energy, and possibly money. It may lead you to a life of sacrifice. If the basis of our actions is to be like Jesus, we need to lay aside the “what-ifs” of the situation. Satan will always try to convince you that you do not need to get involved in the lives of others. He says it will cost you more than you want to pay, in time, energy, and money. Our sinful nature always wants to please itself. It urges us to live lavishly in a self-gratifying manner. Jesus says forget about yourself and trust me to lead you to a fully satisfied life. This is not teaching us to disregard our own obligations to pay our bills so that others’ needs can be met. Scripture teaches us that this is also sinful. However, it is teaching us not to be concerned with our own happiness, but to seek the deep-seated joy that comes from obedience. Joy is something no one can take away from you. Happiness is dependent on our circumstances.
Philippians 2:4-5 “Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus.”
When this feels hard—and it often does—we look to our ultimate example, Jesus. The God-Man held within himself the ultimate strength, authority, and complete freedom. Yet, He did not live to please Himself. Did He have the right to do as He chose? Yes, because He is God. But He willingly endured hardships, rejection, misunderstanding, hatred by those He loved, and the ultimate sacrifice of death on the cross. He did that for us! He gained nothing from that action. He did not have to do it; He chose to do it because of His love for us.
This servant’s heart did not stop at the resurrection; it continues in Heaven, where He is at the right hand of the Father interceding for us. He hears our prayers, feels our pain, and gives those who have placed their faith in Him the indwelling of the Holy Spirit to help us.
It is now application time. Look at your life and see where you are tempted to demand your own way or comfort instead of supporting or ministering to others. Seek to build up others instead of seeking to prove a point. When serving others feels draining and frustrating, remember how patiently Jesus is with us. He knows and bears our weaknesses every single day.
How can we withhold patience and grace from others when God is so patient and extends grace and mercy to us? The answer is that we can’t; if we do, we are living in disobedience. Choose today to look for opportunities to serve others. Don’t allow your feelings to dictate your obedience.
