Knowing the truth that the saving Presence of God abides in the midst of us, we may boldly declare:

"God in the midst of me is mighty to save me. I can rise up to every challenge I have to meet, and to be victorious. I can be truly myself, without compromising my identity or stepping back from my life mission in fear and shame. I can unfold all the divine facilities within me, and to live exalted, glorified life, allowing the light of indwelling Christ to shine forth".

Salvation we speak of is not a one-time event. Rather, it is progressive, gradual uplifting, upward movement, reaching out toward the fullness of God-kind of life. "Work out your own salvation" (Philippians 2:12, Webster), wrote Paul. There is a long way ahead each of us, but the Power and the Presence within guarantee our arrival.

"Christ in you, the hope of glory" (Colossians 1:27). Christ, the Presence of God within us, is the confident expectation of the manifestation of divine glory in us and through us.

We already said that we should not regard any person as our external "savior". But it also means that we are not called to be "saviors" of others.

The problem is, we love people and want to help them - especially if their sufferings are before our eyes. But we must be careful, lest our service bring more harm than good. All service needs to be done in the spirit of truth.

The fundamental truth concerning others is that Christ within them is their Saviour. The best thing we can do for them is to awaken them to this reality of their being. Before they are awakened, our help provides only temporary relief.

People around us move forward in the process of their spiritual evolution at different speed. Some of us are fast learners, others are slow learners. Some individuals seem to learn only through pain. It is not for us to judge others based on our personal experiences. Also, it is not for us to force others toward more rapid changes. Such attempts are useless waste of energy, which create only tension and strain in relationships. People don't want to listen, and they will not listen to well-intended advises before their minds and hearts are ready.

"But I love my friends", someone may insist. But true love recognizes the nature of the world - and others - and acts in agreement with universal laws. True love honors freedom of others. It is not intrusive.

Some "spiritual leaders", whether consciously or unconsciously, want to see others dependant on them. It makes them feel significant, even superior. However, if our significance is based on what we are doing for others rather than who we are, we are greatly mistaken. On another hand, attempts to control or to manipulate others through "good works", to coerce them to particular decisions, are evil.

Paul laughingly spoke of an individual who considered himself to be "a guide of the blind, a light to those in darkness; an instructor of the foolish, a teacher of babes" (Romans 2:19,20). It's not a secret that such puffed up people are still all around us. Being spiritually enlightened in some degree, they misuse and abuse their gifts through pride and self-importance. What is worse, they block themselves from greater enlightenment.

So often they create in people whom they "serve" false expectations which they cannot fulfill, unknowingly leading them to disillusionment.

Those who want to serve others in the spirit of truth should let go of their self-importance and a sense of superiority. They are not superiors - they are fellow travellers among other human beings, walking just one or two steps ahead.

Serve, but be non-attached to people you serve, to the process of service, and to the final results. Give you best, but don't be concerned with how well it is received. You will be free from disappointment, and others will be free from your pressure. Allow God's perfect order to be established in this situation and to reward you.

"I behold the Christ in you", we may say, ether audibly or silently, as we encounter our troubled friends. This is one of the most powerful affirmations I know. It is true and effective. As we think of others, we may add new meaning to it: "I behold the Christ - the Saviour, the Healer, the Provider, the Teacher, the Comforter - in you. He is mighty to save you from that which is not your highest good, and lead you to more abundant life".