Who do we think is great?
Think about your answer. Think about what you think the answer of your friends and family might each be.
Stop reading for a moment and actually think about it, then come back.
So glad you made it back, with all the distractions of life, that was risky! Okay, let’s continue…
The great are humble.
So what is humility?
http://bible.com/116/mat.18.1-4.nlt
About that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who is greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven?” Jesus called a little child to him and put the child among them. Then he said, “I tell you the truth, unless you turn from your sins and become like little children, you will never get into the Kingdom of Heaven. So anyone who becomes as humble as this little child is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven.
My wife and I had a date night last night. It’s the first time that we have been to our favorite restaurant in almost 11 months. Needless to say, we were both excited. And we talked afterwards about how much more we appreciate it now that we aren’t going all the time.
But last night, I realized that I had missed out on a great opportunity for it to be more than a trip to a restaurant together. It was partially a missed opportunity for me to really focus on being kind and honoring to my wife. I didn’t dishonor her, and we had a great time together, but our focus was on the meal. To be honest with you, the “time together” was probably secondary to the “great food” for both of us.
How often does that happen and we don’t even realize it until something wakes us up? How often do we let the most important things fall out of their proper order and priority in our lives?
http://bible.com/116/1pe.2.19-20.nlt
For God is pleased when, conscious of his will, you patiently endure unjust treatment. Of course, you get no credit for being patient if you are beaten for doing wrong. But if you suffer for doing good and endure it patiently, God is pleased with you.
About a year ago, I prayed that the Lord would give me more patience and that we would learn how to better manage His blessings wisely. Yes, I realize that those of you who are spiritually mature are probably laughing right now – and I realize that those selling prosperity gospel would tell me to not give up because my breakthrough is just up ahead.
Our life seems to be a revolving door of things breaking, of unexpected expenses, and of circumstances that push us to our limits. But we are also giving more than we’ve ever been able to give, serving more than we’ve ever been able to serve, paying off debts, and learning to praise the Lord when something breaks because He has something better in mind.
Before fruit is ever visible, a seed had to be planted, and it needs nutrients, water and the Son to grow. And the roots bust forth from the seed, and they spend their life tearing through the soil, breaking it apart and devouring the decomposing soil. The death and decay in the soil mixes with water to feed the plant through its roots below the surface, so that the tree can grow above the surface.
And isn’t it the same with spiritual growth? We start out as decaying flesh. Physical bodies of chemical elements – dust that will return to dust. And a seed is planted – of gospel truth, of awareness of God, of realization of something greater than self. And we either desire to remain dead and decaying and playing in the mud with the worms, or we draw near to the life giving water and light of the Lord.
http://bible.com/116/1co.13.4-7.nlt
Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.
Observation
Love is about what we DO unto others.
Most of what we hear the world talking about when they say love is actually a poor substitute that focuses on our own “feelings”. Sex is used to sell lust falsely as “love”. Community awards and titles are handed out to tout benevolence and charity which even fall short of godly “love”. Our hearts can trick us into thinking we are “a good person” when we are really still doing good for some type of reward or recognition in return.
Harold J. Ballinger 