As we gather to celebrate Easter Sunday, Christ&8217;s resurrection offers us a chance to reflect on the life he led and the many lessons that he taught. From the Beatitudes to turning the other cheek, and from Lord&8217;s Prayer to his compassion for the poor, Christ&8217;s life was filled with wonderful lessons on how we should strive to live.

Yet one of the most important lessons that Jesus teaches us concerns the treatment of others. Jesus tells us that we should do unto others as we would have them do unto us; in fact, it&8217;s the Golden Rule. His message is just as important today as it was back then, and we should all reflect on our treatment of others this Easter.

There is no doubt that there has never been a better time to be an Alabamian. The economy is strong; school test scores are on the rise; job growth and economic development are at an all-time high. But many across our state are still living in hard times. Many hard working Alabamians are mired in poverty and struggling to make ends meet.

Our primary function as legislators is to help others. We are merely the voice of communities, and are elected to speak for those who can&8217;t speak for themselves. While legislators serve a vital role in helping those in need, our communities could not function without the efforts of individuals. Of course, we can never match Christ&8217;s ultimate expression of selflessness, but we can honor His ultimate sacrifice by showing acts of love and compassion toward our fellow man.

There are opportunities everyday to help those who are less fortunate, and it is our duty as fellow Alabamians, human beings, and Christians to see that we do. Whether it&8217;s donating a little extra money to charity, helping with an organization such as Habitat for Humanity, or just volunteering a little time to spend with a needy child, do something to help someone.

There will always be people who need our help, and it is our responsibility as Christians to see that those people are taken care of. Besides, there is no better time to put the theme of selflessness into action than on Easter. Through our own unselfish actions, we can help those in need, and ensure that &8220;doing unto others&8221; isn&8217;t just something taught in Sunday school.

Rep. Ralph Howard is a contributing columnist to The Times.