1 Corinthians 10:33 Even as I please all men in all things, not seeking mine own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved.
Philippians 2:3-4 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.
When I was growing up, one of my Sunday School teachers taught me that, “Jesus didn’t say love your neighbor more than yourself but rather love them as yourself.” Meaning, I shouldn’t love them at my expense. I guess, he didn’t know better – and even up to this day I hear people still say that. That is contrary to what the Word of God really teaches.
The very nature and spirit of love is to put others ahead of yourself – Seeking the betterment, interest and profit of others at your own expense. Love doesn’t say, this is my breakfast and I also need it – Love says, I need my breakfast but you also don’t have anything to eat so you can have it. Love goes hungry so her brother or sister may be satisfied. That is the new kind of love that Jesus has birth in us. And He said, BY THIS SHALL ALL MEN KNOW THAT YOU ARE MY DISCIPLES, IF YOU LOVE ONE ANOTHER – Jn 13:35. Hallelujah!
Think about it, did Jesus not love his life when he came to die for us? That little boy in John 6 who gave out his lunch to Jesus to feed the multitude with, do you not think he also needed his lunch? When he gave it out not knowing what would have happened to it and what he would eat, he put the interest of others above his. That’s exactly what love does. LOVE PUTS THE INTEREST OF OTHERS ABOVE ONESELF – That’s the GOD-KIND OF LOVE. Praise God!
GRACEFUL MORNING
