Basic HTML Version
Living for Others, August 14
Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to
minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.
Matthew 20:28
.
We are not to live for ourselves. Christ came to this world to live for
others—not to be ministered unto, but to minister. If you strive to live as
He lived you are saying to the world, “Behold the Man of Calvary.” By
precept and example you are leading others in the way of righteousness.
The sin which is indulged to the greatest extent, and which separates
us from God and produces so many contagious spiritual disorders, is
selfishness. There can be no returning to the Lord except by self-denial.
Of ourselves we can do nothing; but through God strengthening us we
can live to do good to others, and in this way shun the evil of selfishness.
We need not go to heathen lands to manifest our desire to devote all to
God in a useful, unselfish life. We should do this in the home circle, in
the church, among those with whom we associate and with whom we do
business. Right in the common walks of life is where self is to be denied
and kept in subordination.
Paul could say: “I die daily” (
1 Corinthians 15:31
). It is the daily
dying to self in the little transactions of life that makes us overcomers.
We should forget self in the desire to do good to others. With many there
is a decided lack of love for others. Instead of faithfully performing their
duty, they seek rather their own pleasure.
God positively enjoins upon all His followers a duty to bless others
with their influence and means.... In doing for others, a sweet satisfaction
will be experienced, an inward peace which will be a sufficient reward.
When actuated by a high and noble desire to do others good, they will
find true happiness in a faithful discharge of life’s manifold duties. This
will bring more than an earthly reward; for every faithful, unselfish per-
formance of duty is noticed by the angels and shines in the life record. In
heaven none will think of self, nor seek their own pleasure; but all, from
pure, genuine love, will seek the happiness of the heavenly beings around
them. If we wish to enjoy heavenly society in the earth made new, we
must be governed by heavenly principles here.
[234]
241