We have an obligation to bear with those who are weak, and not please ourselves. That’s almost verbatim from verse 1. Do I do that? Do I bear with others? Do I do the necessary things to build up others instead of worrying about my own selfish desires? No. I fail in this . . . I fail constantly. When Saturday rolls around, am I out helping people or am I on the computer, listing items on ebay? I fail in so many ways.
There comes a time in life when we have to make a decision. Do we continue ignoring the obvious commands of Scripture and continue to live for ourselves? Do we continue living a lie, or do we start living the truth? Jesus makes it clear that if we love Him, we will do what He commands.
15If you love me, you will keep my commandments.
John 14:15
Do we love Him? If we do, we’ll listen to what the Bible says. We’ll start living to please Him, which means living to bear with others, and not to please ourselves. Simply put – if we’re too busy with our own interests, we’re not doing what He says.
He gave His life for us. It’s our reasonable service to give our lives for Him.