living for the sake of others

What are you focused on? I want to stake a stake a claim for Jesus and his teachings. Trust in Jesus is a worthwhile focus for many reasons. Living for the sake of others is one of them.

The Christian life is to live for the sake of others. ‘Loving God/ Loving Neighbor,’ as it were. When you live your life for the sake of others it brings purpose, meaning, and richness. Even atheists sense the noble aspect of living for the sake of others. This is a high virtue for the God-worshipping and the God-denying alike.

To live for the sake of others means to deny the very core of whom you are as a human. “I am the center of the universe.” So how do you deny the concept of “me, me, me?” On human effort, especially during times of stress and crisis, people overwhelming revert to their own needs. Unless there is something beyond them at work. The power of Jesus active in your life makes it possible to live for others regardless of circumstances. Under his influence you learn that by denying yourself, you expand yourself, and you are more, rather than less.

To trust in Jesus is to be forgiven and forgiving. You are capable of not taking offense at someone who wrongs you. Not because you have become a pushover or a door mat. When you center your worth on your relationship with Jesus you can voluntarily and freely not let the opinion or actions of others towards you harm you in any way. You will respond in appropriate ways, seeking their good so they might be more likely to be influenced by Jesus. Relationships may then be restored or you may quietly refuse to get caught up in the drama.