Am I.............nothing? (Full Version)

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Concerto -> Am I.............nothing? (5/16/2008 10:05:40 PM)

In 1 Cor 13, in the first few verses, Paul says that even though he does nice things, knows much, that w/o love, he is nothing.

I wonder about that. I love my wife and daughter...and my siblings, but, beyond that, do I really LOVE others? Personally, since being a Christian for over 10 years, I can think of only...6 people who I encountered who really "glowed" with the love of Christ. I mean, I pass by people in church and most people do not even say hi to me.

We talk a lot about love but rarely do I see it displayed (myself included). I believe we have the seeds of love implanted in us by God, but, so many things stunt the growth of those seeds: circumstances, a bad personality, etc.

I mean, do we really esteem others better than ourselves? (Phil 2:3)? For the most part I think we become so consumed with our own problems that we care very little about others around us.

C



deermousie -> RE: Am I.............nothing? (5/16/2008 10:39:58 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: Concerto

We talk a lot about love but rarely do I see it displayed (myself included). I believe we have the seeds of love implanted in us by God, but, so many things stunt the growth of those seeds: circumstances, a bad personality, etc.

I mean, do we really esteem others better than ourselves? (Phil 2:3)? For the most part I think we become so consumed with our own problems that we care very little about others around us.


Man, Concerto, you are deep! I like that. [:)]

We have a sin nature that is incapable of doing good. A nonChristian is a slave to sin and is helpless to change that. As Christians we *can* do good (we become slaves to righteousness, but lots of people fight that) but our sin nature has had a lot of experience and we can fall. And do. We have the Holy Spirit living inside us that is capable of letting us do good because He is doing it, teaching us about Jesus and empowering us to do God's will (which is good). So every Christian is a walking civil war, with our born-again but wobbly heart of flesh (formerly stone) and God's power and the Holy Spirit teaching us and leading us to become more like Jesus. On the other side is that Adamic nature, wanting us to live in our own power like Adam, the first man and symbol of fallenness. We have the lust of the eye and the pride of life. Also there's the world (fallen) and Satan (fallen).

So which side wins? The side you feed. If a person relishes sin, they'll live like the world, feeding their sin nature. If a person dives into the Word, is talking to God and looking to do things God's way and not be selfish, then righteousness prevails and the person reaps the consequences of right choices.

God says it's His will that we love the brethren fervently (1 Pet. 1:22). That's a supernatural act that God will empower when we determine to obey. It's not easy to fight one's own selfishness, and - let's face it - people are pretty unlovable. God says do it anyway.

So it's not seeds of love God puts in us, but the power of God to act in a loving way from obedience to people who don't deserve it, aren't grateful for it and aren't giving it back. Usually. We do it because God says to. Because people are the most important thing to God (He died for people) and thus they are to be the most important thing to us. We love God, we love our families, we love ourselves, we love others, especially those of the household of God.

Sometimes I think anything else would be easier. I am amazed that others love me (I am not lovable, either), and I see their maturity in God in that. God gave us a blessing, that we might be a blessing to others. So we follow after God, act in a loving way as best we know how, we fall down, we get back up, and toddle on after our Lord who showed the way.
Go to www.biblegateway.com and search for "love one another" - there's tons of verses about it. We are commanded to love one another. Sometimes we get self out of the way and actually do it! Yay! And God is glorified.



kmangel -> RE: Am I.............nothing? (5/16/2008 11:13:39 PM)

God is showing you where He wants to shine in your life. He wants to show His love in and through you to all those people and situations in your life that are devoid of love.

A lot of it has to do with our attitude and we can change our attitude. I was in a group yesterday and a lady shared an article about unceasing prayer. There were lots of examples of how we can pray as the Bible tells us to pray. After she read the examples I thought to myself how my attitude would change if I began to pray like the article suggested. Here are some examples:

On the road, as you pass an abandoned car, traffic accident, emergency vehicle or someone detained by the police, intercede for those involved.

Pray for store staff and customers ahead of you when you are waiting in lines. When your turn comes you will be calm and ready to bless the cashier with a pleasant smile and warm greeting.

Let a ringing phone be your prayer signal. Wait three rings before answering. Ask God to guard your tongue, guide your thoughts, and glorifiy His name through you. Do the same with e-mail.

These are just three examples and there were several more. See how love for others can grow by these simple suggestions? I can.

Yes, a lot of people are unloving in this world, but we can make a difference.



sparkleingsnow -> RE: Am I.............nothing? (5/16/2008 11:48:53 PM)

Do a word search on love/charity and see how God wants us to love. You might be surprised at how much you will grow in love.



mvic -> RE: Am I.............nothing? (5/17/2008 8:39:36 AM)

Hi Concerto,

I agree with you - it is so difficult to love your neighbor especially when he constantly parks his car in front of your drive and blocks you in ....

But to be serious ... I am saddened by the number of Christians who go around praising, singing and preaching yet have no real love in their hearts for other than their family and close ones. They're a bad advert for Christianity.

Maybe we as humans are incapable of loving others as Christ asked us to. Maybe the "seed of love" has died because it has not been fed properly.

How many examples can we name of people who truly love others like Christ did? How many Christ-like role models are there nowadays.

I may be a Christian: but on a scale of 1 to 10 where does Christ score me?



Kat_D -> RE: Am I.............nothing? (5/17/2008 9:59:36 AM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: Concerto

In 1 Cor 13, in the first few verses, Paul says that even though he does nice things, knows much, that w/o love, he is nothing.

I wonder about that. I love my wife and daughter...and my siblings, but, beyond that, do I really LOVE others? Personally, since being a Christian for over 10 years, I can think of only...6 people who I encountered who really "glowed" with the love of Christ. I mean, I pass by people in church and most people do not even say hi to me.

We talk a lot about love but rarely do I see it displayed (myself included). I believe we have the seeds of love implanted in us by God, but, so many things stunt the growth of those seeds: circumstances, a bad personality, etc.

I mean, do we really esteem others better than ourselves? (Phil 2:3)? For the most part I think we become so consumed with our own problems that we care very little about others around us.

C

3 "And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing." - I Corinthians 13

This Scripture is speaking more about the reasons behind the things we do for others. God is not interested as much in what you do or how much you do, He is more interested in the motivation behind what you do. He is always searching the heart and if you do things for others out of obligation only, He sees that, and it is worthless to Him. But, if you do those things out of love, it is pleasing to Him.

Perfect example: I used to volunteer at a church that fed the homeless. Some of the people who volunteered there complained about everything and were rude and unkind to the people we served. I used to wonder why they bothered. There was no love behind what they were doing and that was obvious to evryone. With the attitude of their hearts, there was no value to God in their service because there was no love.

1 "Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. 2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing." - I Corinthians 13



Liveloved -> RE: Am I.............nothing? (5/18/2008 3:53:43 AM)

quote:

I mean, do we really esteem others better than ourselves? (Phil 2:3)? For the most part I think we become so consumed with our own problems that we care very little about others around us.


If we are truthful, I think the answer is not often. And, yes, your reason for 'why' is the answer. We are basically selfish. And it is the work of God to transfer our love from self to Him.

You are very right to be thinking/asking/looking at yourself in this regard. Ask the Lord to lead you and teach you in regard to His love. Esteeming others is a beautiful and godly quality---one I certainly want to grow in as well. Bless you on your journey![:)]



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