Critical Spirit vs. Truth in Love

Five reasons that, “Love is NOT fair.”

Five reasons that, “Love is NOT fair.”

1) Love seeks blessing for those who’ve hurt us. (Romans 12:14)

2) Love forgives the worst of offenses. (1 Peter 4:8)

3) Love does not treat us as we deserve. (Romans 5:8)

4) Love conquers all. (1 Corinthians 13)

5) Love saves those who should be judged (John 3:16-17)

Love and Sacrifice

Believe it or not, there’s often so much in a text I’m preaching on that I feel like there’s more that I didn’t say than what I did.

One thing in particular has been working on me since last Sunday and I’d like to share it with you.

James 3:17 says, “But the wisdom from above is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and good deeds.”

Often our desire for wisdom is born out of a personal motivation to be important, find success or gain prestige.  However, “willing to yield to others” is usually not a part of the equation.

I think that true wisdom, Godly wisdom, is celebrated NOT in your own successes but in those of others. True wisdom is like true love, selfless.

Another way to put that is…

What we’re willing to sacrifice for says a lot about what (or who) we love.

“Yield” and “Sacrifice” for others are not concepts that I naturally gravitate toward.  But they are born out of a wisdom that comes from God.

• Worldly wisdom says,

  “do what makes you happy.“

• Godly wisdom says

  “lift others above yourself.“

• Worldly wisdom says,

  “I sacrifice you for me.“

• Godly wisdom says,

  “I sacrifice me for you.“

Whenever tempted to lose ourselves in worldly wisdom it’s important to remember where we’d be without Godly wisdom.

I’m sure thankful that He sacrificed of Himself for us.

“For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.  God sent his Son (Jesus) into the world not to judge the world but to save the world through him.”  John 3:16-17