In Romans 15:1-3 (KJV) it says: "We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves. Let every one of us of us please his neighbor for his good to edification. For even Christ pleased not himself".

In Galatians 6:2 we are also told to bear each other's burdens as Christ directs us. So, what does God command us to do? He commands us to love one another (Gal 5:14, John 13:34). We put love into practice by bearing one another`s burdens. When we obey this command, we are certainly not pleasing ourselves.

The apostle Paul encouraged us not to seek our own but one another`s well-being (1 Cor 10:24). In the famous love chapter of the New Testament we are told that: “love does not seek its own” (or is not selfish) (1 Cor 13:5). This does not come easily to our flesh but the apostle Matthew exhorted us to deny ourselves, take up our cross and follow Jesus (Matt 16:24). If we do this then we can put others before ourselves. We certainly cannot do this in our own strength but with God’s help we can. Let us learn to: “Rejoice with them that do rejoice and weep with them that weep” (Rom 12:15).

Please pass this on. All rights reserved.

Check out our web site ( www.onthewayinlove.com ) for information on our book: “On the Way: Basic Christian Training”, including how to purchase it and also to see more encouraging Bible based blogs. Please recommend our book to others.