Spiritual Strength For Each Day
“Let every one of us please his neighbor for his good to edification” (Romans 15:2).
Here we have a third principle of the mind of Jesus: see what is good, what is holy, what is eternal, in your neighbor, and behave towards him accordingly. In other words, to be self-effacing encourages others to do good; it edifies them.
From this comes the fourth principle: the willingness to bear. “Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ” (Galatians 6:2). Where do your problems and the friction in your relationship with your neighbor come from? It comes from your wanting to receive instead of to give. You expect something of him or her, while they expect something of you. You want to receive their love, while they are seeking a revelation of the love of Jesus Christ in your life. Think for a moment how you could make your neighbor’s life easier. “I have enough to carry myself,” you may object. Then look at Jesus and let His mind be in you. Through this you will be able to bear the burdens of others, and you yourself will be blessed. Jesus gave. He always gave. He gave everything. He gave His love. He bore our burdens. He carried away our sins. And He will bear you even into your old age.
