We hear this phrase, “living for others,” a lot in Christian circles. But what does that mean, exactly? Is it that we eat, drink, and sleep so that we can simply stay alive because others might miss us if we don’t? I guess fundamentally that’s true. But is that what the Bible describes as truly “living for others”? Jesus said:

This is My commandment, that you love one another, just as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends.

— John 15:12-13

OK, now we’re getting somewhere. We aren’t only to merely stay alive for the sake of others…we are to love them. Holy Scripture, and even the greatest of all literary giants, depicts love as the greatest motivator of all. We ask, “Why does God choose to do all that He does for undeserving, fallen man?” The answer is simple, and it is found in scripture - “God is love” (1 John 4:8b). No one is more motivated than God to express His own love. The best we can ever hope for is to know Him in this way, within the sphere of perfect love.

We have come to know and have believed the love which God has for us. God is love, and the one who abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him. By this, love is perfected with us, so that we may have confidence in the day of judgment; because as He is, so also are we in this world. There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves punishment, and the one who fears is not perfected in love. 

We love, because He first loved us.

If someone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for the one who does not love his brother whom he has seen, cannot love God whom he has not seen. And this commandment we have from Him, that the one who loves God should love his brother also.

— 1 John 4:16-21

The apostles were constantly teaching their disciples about the manifestations of love in mankind. John has been dubbed by many as the “apostle of love” because he spoke voluminously about the subject. The interesting thing to note, in light of this blog, is how often he tied actions to love. In other words, he dispelled any notion that the mere words, “I love you”, are sufficient all by themselves. In fact, he went so far as to postulate that unless a person is properly motivated to do for others, such words are empty.

Love in the Bible is not merely some ethereal idea, it is very practical. True love motivates people. Motivation leads to doing, specifically, living for others. We don’t create love by doing, but we do prove it.

During the time of the apostle Paul’s ministry, one of the hottest points of contention was the lingering idea that eating meats sacrificed on an altar was taboo, particularly if that altar was made to worship a pagan idol. What would happen is that the meat of the sacrificed animals would be sold in the local marketplace. Therefore, if a person were trying to avoid eating something taboo, they’d have to ask about the source of the meat before buying it. Not everyone had this limitation set in their conscience, so another issue would arise when a mixture of folks would sit down to dine together. Paul set his own disciples straight on the subject. When you read the following passage, consider how Paul’s instructions kept ‘living for others’ a primary vehicle for spreading the Gospel.

All things are lawful, but not all things are profitable. All things are lawful, but not all things edify. Let no one seek his own good, but that of his neighbor. Eat anything that is sold in the meat market without asking questions for conscience’ sake; FOR THE EARTH IS THE LORD’S, AND ALL IT CONTAINS. 

If one of the unbelievers invites you and you want to go, eat anything that is set before you without asking questions for conscience’ sake. But if anyone says to you, “This is meat sacrificed to idols,” do not eat it, for the sake of the one who informed you, and for conscience’ sake; I mean not your own conscience, but the other man’s; for why is my freedom judged by another’s conscience? If I partake with thankfulness, why am I slandered concerning that for which I give thanks? Whether, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.

Give no offense either to Jews or to Greeks or to the church of God; just as I also please all men in all things, not seeking my own profit but the profit of the many, so that they may be saved.

— 1 Corinthians 10:23-30

Paul essentially said to his disciples, “Look, we know that there’s no inherent spiritual ramifications of eating meat, regardless of whether or not it was sacrificed here or there. However, weaker individuals may suffer at the sight of our eating such meat, and this might frustrate our chances of giving them the Gospel. So let’s not eat it if we know that it’s a cause for stumbling.” Paul stated that living for others means actually doing things that preclude us from enjoying liberties that otherwise we have every right to enjoy.

Living for others means sacrificing our own liberties so that others don’t stumble. True love will always be motivated to live this way. True love gives. And as Jesus said, “It is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35b).

Stop and ponder all that you’ve read here…

We love because God first loved us. We abide in His love because He saved us, delivered us from the throes of enmity. We are motivated to give as a function of said abiding. In turn, we are blessed. YOWZA!!!

I want more of this!…and then some more!!! God, please, I beg you…give me more of Your grace! I sound as if an apostle of old, “Lord, increase my faith” (ala Luke 17:5)! I want to love like You do, like my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, Your impeccable, beloved Son, loved! I want to live for others. Please let me keep on giving, for in that activity lies the marrow of what it means to be alive. Lord, make me love more so that I can give more so that I may burst alive at the seams!…and thank You for hearing my prayers!

Might we say that “living for others” is the same thing as “loving others”??? 

If we concede this one truth in our own lives, might we finally understand the fullness of God’s grace and love? “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life” (John 3:16). And in doing so, might we also take one step closer to our Lord’s peace (John 14:27), understanding all the more that our life has purpose and meaning…and none of it is selfish, but rather selfless?

Lord, deliver us unto selflessness.

Love in Christ,
​
Ed Collins