Brethren, we who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves; let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to edify him. For Christ did not please himself; but, as it is written, “The reproaches of those who reproached thee fell on me.” For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that by steadfastness and by the encouragement of the scriptures we might have hope. May the God of steadfastness and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Welcome one another, therefore, as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.
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One of the most difficult things for non-believers to come to terms with in the gospel of Christ is the idea of dedicated service to the other. Make no mistake. This is our purpose: to serve our brother or sister – whomever he or she may be. Let us not forget that when the mother of the sons of Zebedee ask that her two sons be on either side of the Lord in his kingdom Christ asked her two sons, James and his brother John (who is described as the disciple who Jesus loved), whether they could drink the cup that he was about to drink from. When they answered in the affirmative, Christ said that the places requested were not his to give. When the other disciples became indignant at the temerity of the request Christ said: whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant. And whoever desires to be first among you let him be your slave. – Just as the Son of man did not come to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (Matthew 19:26 – 28)
There is no doubt that as Christians we are obliged to put up with the failings of our brothers and sisters and to please our neighbour for the good of our neighbour and to edify our neighbour. This brings home a very clear message. No one can be saved in isolation. We need our fellow human being to be saved. If we avoid those that require our help then we are avoiding Christ himself. Each and every one of us is unique. There will never be another me and there will never be another you. And within each of us there is a soul which is unique. There will never be another soul like the soul that is in me and like the soul that is in you. Why? Because each one is uniquely marked with the imprint of God. Each one is special to God. Each one is more valuable to God then all the material wealth of the universe. A soul is beyond price. It cannot be purchased. It cannot be taken by force. Christ wants each soul to be saved. Therefore we look to neighbour, whomever he or she may be, as Christ himself before us.
One only has to remember the parable of the good Samaritan to realise that neighbour may well be the person that you despise. Neighbour may be the person that you have nothing to do with. Neighbour may be the person of a different faith or persuasion or anything else that causes you discomfort. You have to engage. You have to show Christ. You have to please your neighbour for the good of your neighbour. You have to put yourself last.
Now, just how hard is it to put your self-interests second? All of us have difficulty with that. We work hard to acquire sufficient material needs. We strive as best we can to provide for our families and for a rainy day. We would consider it highly unfair if at the end of our daily struggle someone came to us and it put out their hand for us to fill it. Clearly that is not what is meant here. We give by sharing. We cannot match the aspirational and perfect goodness that is Christ. Christ tells us not to resist an evil person. He tells us to turn the other cheek. He tells us to give not only tunic but cloak as well. He tells us to give to whomever asks nor turn away anyone who wants to borrow. He then gives us the hardest thing: to love your enemy (Matthew 5:27 – 37). Elsewhere, in sending out the 12 disciples Christ tells them “behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents and as harmless as doves” (Matthew 10:16). The truth be told that there is an intersect between discernment on one hand and slavishly following the dictates of service to the other. Each one of us needs to consider where the point of giving becomes self-defeating and instead of being the one who is able to give we now become the one who needs to receive because we have given everything away.
If we do that and if we sacrifice everything for the sake of our brother then how can we live in harmony with one another? If I give everything I have and as a result am not able to thereafter take care of myself then the recipient, who has not worked for the gifts will disrespect them and abuse them, so, we both become unhappy within ourselves and for one another. I, whom left with nothing and you, the recipient, who is still in need. That is not the will of Christ.
Both giver and receiver must be happy. The only good giving and the only good receiving is the giving and the receiving that is given in joy – from the heart. Unless I want to give something then anything that I give – no matter how small it is, I will find oppressive. Think about it. If I say to you I admire your wristwatch and you, as a result of my complement then offer to me freely and did love your watch, then both of us are happy. If I say to you I admire your wristwatch and I then say to you , “give it to me or else …” as I wave a big stick in front of your nose and you, as a result, then gives it to me then in both cases I have the wristwatch. However you, as the giver will feel totally different feelings towards me. In the first instance you will have happy feelings. The second, when I have forced you to give, will have feelings of anger and resentment. Out of happy feelings grow joy and love. Out of joy and love grows a gratitude. Out of gratitude sings a voice that glorifies God the father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
It is then, and only then that we will feel the welcome that Christ has for each one of us. Why? Because we will feel that love for the glory of God
