Bedrock For Every Action (Part 2)!

Everything we do in life is motivated by an end result which could either be altruistic or selfish. The latter is the way of the world, where the operating theme remains, 'what's in it for me?' In all such instances, the focus is on self - what benefits does my actions attract to me. It doesn't really matter if such actions hurt others or ruin their chances. Albeit, this is not the way of God's kingdom or the tenets taught and principles upheld by the Bible. Paul admonishes us, "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others" (Phi 2: 3 -4). Once your action is sponsored by selfishness, then it is not of love, no matter how it is viewed. If it doesn't place a higher value on others, it has failed to pass the love test! The bedrock of our actions must be to look out for the interest of others, by doing to them what we wish others do to us. The emphasis of Jesus in Luke 6: 31, "The way you want others to treat you is how you should treat everyone else," challenges us to pause and think before we act. Should others do to me this way, how would I feel? What impact would it leave on me? This would put a fair balance to our actions and make us act from the deep reserves of our bowels of mercy. Love is demonstrated through acts woven in mercy. Let the kindness of your heart show through charitable actions. However, know how and where to set healthy boundaries to avoid being manipulated, exploited and taken for granted.