Let no one seek his own, but each one the other's well-being. (1 Corinthians 10:24)

As a Christian you are obliged to view your actions in light of how they will affect other Christians. You will discover God’s will for your life when you consider His activity in the lives of others. This goes contrary to worldly thinking. The world encourages you to live your own life, taking care of your own needs_and wants first. Sin promotes independence. It isolates_you from others and separates you from those you could help or who could encourage you. God designed you_for interdependence.

Whenever you meet another Christian, you come face to face with Christ (John 13:20). There ought to be a deep respect within you as you encounter other lives guided by the Holy Spirit. Do not live as if you have no responsibility toward your Christian brothers or sisters. God holds you accountable for how you relate to them. Don’t revel in your “freedom in Christ” to the point that you neglect your responsibility toward others (Rom. 14:15). Paul celebrated his freedom in Christ, but he was keenly sensitive to what might cause other Christians harm (1 Cor. 8:13). He was aware that his sin could not take place in isolation but could bring pain to many others (1 Cor. 5:6).

You have a responsibility to live in such a way that you do not hurt others. You must deny yourself and allow the Holy Spirit to put to death your natural inclination to be self-centered. As long as you focus on yourself, you will be oblivious to the needs of others. Ask God to free you from selfishness so that your life is free to bless others.

by Henry T. Blackaby

In Philippians 3:10-11 the Apostle Paul said: "I want to know Christ and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in His sufferings, becoming like Him in His death, and so, somehow to attain to the resurrection from the dead."

And indeed, being "in Christ" Paul became a new creation where his old life passed away and all things to him became new (2 Corinthians 5:17). He experienced God's resurrection power -- and he lived it out!

Paul's experience of God's power was so complete in Christ that he assured the believers in Ephesus (Eph. 1:16-22) that the same power God exerted to raise Jesus from the dead was likewise given to those who believe. Paul's prayer for them is a prayer for us all:

"I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which He has called you, the riches of His glorious inheritance in the saints, and His incomparably great power for us who believe" (Ephesians 1:18-19).

Now this month we experience Easter! On Sunday we remember and meditate on the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ! May we on that day encounter Him, and in the urgent days ahead, aspire with even greater fervency to share in His suffering and become like Him in His death that he might live out His resurrection power in us and through us!