Today, during my time of “coffee with the Lord,”I recalled the words an old “chorus” we used to sing a long time ago in church…
“Jesus… and Others… then You
What a wonderful way to spell JOY!”
Others oriented living … What a Christ-like, spiritually mature and redemptive way to live!!
It is the core idea of the passage that I read today during my devotions that prompted this reflection today…
“You say, ‘I have the right to do anything!’ …
But not everything is beneficial!
“You say, ‘I have the right to do anything!’ …
But not everything is constructive!
“No one should seek their own good, but instead the good of others! … So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God! Do not cause anyone to stumble. I am not seeking my own good but the good of many, so that they may be saved. Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.” (From 1 Corinthians 10.23 – 11.1 NIV)
And then in another place… “We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves. Each of us should please his neighbor for his good, to build him up. For even Christ did not please Himself but, as it is written: ‘The insults of those who insult you have fallen on me.’”(Romans 15.1-3 NIV)
Got to tell you, I want to live that way! Jesus, I want to emulate YOU! I want to seek “the benefit of others” before my own personal benefit! “What a wonderful way to spell J-O-Y!”
Coffee With The Lord 