LOOK OUT NOT ONLY FOR YOUR OWN INTERESTS

1. “All things are lawful for me, but not all things are helpful; all things are lawful for me, but not all things edify [build up].
2. Let no one seek his own, but each one the other’s well-being.”
   1 Corinthians 10:23,24 (NKJV)

• Something might be lawful but not helpful–it is not every lawful thing that is helpful.

• Also, some things that are lawful could not edify, that is, build up.

• A Christian should not be very particular about lawful things, but about things that are helpful and can edify.

• Believers should live their lives for Christ–their lives should glorify Christ (Galatians 2:20).
  “and He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again.”
  2 Corinthians 5:15 (NKJV)
• If what you want to do will not help and edify other believers, though it is lawful, then do not do it.
  “Let each of you LOOK OUT NOT ONLY FOR HIS OWN INTERESTS, but also for the interests of others.”
  Philippians 2:4 (NKJV)

• If your food, what you eat; how you dress, what you wear; how you behave, your attitude; will not help and edify others–then refrain yourself.

• We live to please Christ not to please self. If what you do is hurtful to other brethren–then you are hurting Christ.

1. “Yet if your brother is grieved because of your food, you are no longer walking in love. Do not destroy with your food the one for whom Christ died.
2. Therefore let us pursue the things which make for peace and the things by which one may edify another.
3. It is good neither to eat meat nor drink wine NOR DO ANYTHING BY WHICH YOUR BROTHER STUMBLES OR IS OFFENDED OR IS MADE WEAK.”
   Romans 14:15,19,21 (NKJV)

• A believer can deny himself some rights, I mean legitimate things, in order to help other brethren, especially the weak ones (Romans 15:1-3).

• In addition, a believer can forgo what he deserves, that is, his benefits; or allow himself to be cheated–that others may be edified.
  “Now therefore, it is already an utter failure for you that you go to law against one another. WHY DO YOU NOT RATHER ACCEPT WRONG? WHY DO YOU NOT RATHER LET YOURSELVES BE CHEATED?”
  1 Corinthians 6:7 (NKJV)
• You can, because of Christ, endure humiliation and allow yourself to be cheated (1 Peter 2:20-23).

• This is not extreme, but the Bible.

• The highest point of submission is when you are ready to endure anything for Christ sake–not because of the wrong you do.

1. “For what credit is it if, when you are beaten for your faults, you take it patiently? BUT WHEN YOU DO GOOD AND SUFFER, IF YOU TAKE IT PATIENTLY, THIS IS COMMENDABLE BEFORE GOD.
2. FOR TO THIS YOU WERE CALLED, because Christ also suffered for us, LEAVING US AN EXAMPLE, THAT YOU SHOULD FOLLOW HIS STEPS.”
   1 Peter 2:20,21 (NKJV)

• This level of submission was found in Christ, and He expects us to live our lives thus.

1. “Who committed no sin, nor was deceit found in His mouth”;
2. who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously.”
   1 Peter 2:22,23 (NKJV)

• This kind of submission leads to lifting in the kingdom, that is, enthronement (Philippians 2:5-11).

1. “And being found in appearance as a man, He [Jesus] humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.
2. Therefore GOD also has highly EXALTED HIM and given HIM the NAME which is ABOVE every name."
   Philippians 2:8,9 (NKJV)

• You will not fail in Jesus’ name.
Peace!