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NASB | 1 John 3:11 ¶ For this is the message which you have heard from the beginning, that we should love one another; |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | 1 John 3:11 ¶ For this is the message which you [believers] have heard from the beginning [of your relationship with Christ], that we should [unselfishly] love and seek the best for one another; |
Bible Question:
Being a believer for years. I have recently began a SERIOUS effort to study the bible and follow God. I have repented of sins and believe God is the only way to eternal life. I now know he requires us to love and serve others. How does a selfish man, of 40 years, learn to give of himself? And love total strangers. Is this a working process or should that automatcally be in my heart now that I am a follower. It is hard to change a 40 years of ways all at once. Though I believe God can do it. But like a growing child, is there a learning stage we go threw with this. May God Bless and thanks |
Bible Answer: j8, I read your profile. I too had a background in law enforcement and understand how it can effect one's thinking about the world and how one relates to others. I understand selfishness, even at 40 and beyond. One thing I have found helpful is this. I have a crucifix on the wall of my living room near the center of my house. I can see it from the front door when I enter and I have to pass by it to go to the kitchen the bedrooms or the basement. Occassionaly people ask me why I have it there. I tell them I put it there to remind me that being married is about sacrificing yourself for those you love and that it is often painful. But the only way to the joy of the Resurrection is through the cross. My marriage and family life have been much better since I put that crucifix there to remind me what Jesus did for me and what I am expected to do for my wife and daughter: lay down my life for them, sacrifice myself for them, suffer for them, even as they sometime suffer for me or because of me. "Husbands, love your wives even as Christ loved the church and handed himself over for her..." Gal 5:25. So, my advice is that charity or love begins at home. Start at home and work outward to the larger community. If one can learn to be less selfish and more self sacrificing at home, it is a lot easier to then take that attitude outside the home. Conversely, if one can't be charitable at home it is not likely one will be charitible anywhere else either. I found trying to do things my way to make me happy always left me and those around me miserable. Once I learned to enbrace the concept of doing things God's way by accepting sacrifice and suffering, I was happier. Go figure! Isn't it interesting how God teaches us compassion and charity by suffering, especially when we are doing everything we can to avoid suffering and trying to be happy while not trying to make anyone else happy and often making everyone else who comes into contact with us miserable? We have to take up our cross and follow Him. If we try to save our life we will loose it, but if we are willing to loose our life for his sake we will find it. Matt 16:25-27. Emmaus |