Sometimes it just amazes me to see how some people place themselves above others. It is not always the people who toot their own horn and put on an air of importance; sometimes it is just in actions of people who do not think of others. It could be the person who rushes to get in front of you to get to the checkout line. It can be the person that cuts off others in traffic or even the person having a way too loud conversation on their phone in public (this is magnified when they have the phone on speaker!).
I believe this stems not so much from self-importance but more from lack of consideration of others. Sometimes people just get so wrapped up in their own thoughts and actions they fail to really remember that the things they say and do can and will have an effect on those around them.
We have seen our society change by leaps and bounds over the past 50 years and most of the changes have not been positive as far as human relationships are concerned. There are many people who don’t even know their neighbors. Many parents are afraid to allow their children out of their sight for fear of losing them. One of the biggest changes I have seen is failure to teach children love and respect. The root of this is from God being no longer a factor in many homes.
The Bible teaches that love is foundation of relationships. Jesus said that Loving God and loving your neighbor were the two most important commandments. He also said that all the Law and prophets hung on those two commandments (Matthew 22:37-40). So basically, Jesus was saying that if you don’t love God and don’t love others, there is nothing to hang on to! The Gospel of John speaks extensively about the love of Jesus and relates many illustrations of how Jesus showed that love.
Paul wrote what is commonly known as the “love chapter” in the Bible, I Corinthians 13. Before Paul describes unconditional love, notice what he says in I Corinthians 13:1-3-If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3 If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing. I think Paul makes it clear, if we do not have love, we have nothing!
True love means being considerate of others and putting the needs of others before our own. Jesus demonstrated how we are to love as walked this earth and showed the greatest love by dying on the cross for our sins (John 15:13). We may never be called to literally lay down our life for others, however, we can certainly live our lives for others, and this will glorify God.
I believe those who love with the love of God lead the richest and happiest lives. We all have the choice. Let’s choose love!
Read Philippians 2:1-4