Three things will last forever—faith, hope, and love—and the greatest of these is love. 1 Corinthians 13:13 NLT
To win the world is to display the greatest love. God loved us so much that He gave! There is no greater love than to lay down your life for the well-being of others. The key to Joy is unconditional kindness to all people which is true compassion. The Great Commission is a command and the second judgment (1 Corinthians 3:12-15) is a reality.
“We are not only going to be judged for what we have done. we are going to be judged by what we could have done.” -AW Tozer
LOVELESSNESS RESULTS FROM SELF-LOVE
When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them because they were confused and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. He said to his disciples, “The harvest is great, but the workers are few. Matthew 9:36-37 NLT
But as he came closer to Jerusalem and saw the city ahead, he began to weep. “How I wish today that you of all people would understand the way to peace.” Luke 19:41-42 NLT
“Meanwhile, the older son was in the fields working. When he returned home, he heard music and dancing in the house, and he asked one of the servants what was going on. ‘Your brother is back,’ he was told, ‘and your father has killed the fattened calf. We are celebrating because of his safe return.’ “The older brother was angry and wouldn’t go in. His father came out and begged him, but he replied, ‘All these years I’ve slaved for you and never once refused to do a single thing you told me to. And in all that time you never gave me even one young goat for a feast with my friends. Yet when this son of yours comes back after squandering your money on prostitutes, you celebrate by killing the fattened calf!’ “His father said to him, ‘Look, dear son, you have always stayed by me, and everything I have is yours. We had to celebrate this happy day. For your brother was dead and has come back to life! He was lost, but now he is found!” Luke 15:25-32 NLT
“There are two kinds of Christians, spiritual and carnal. The experience of the two is vastly different. In the life of the spiritual Christian the power of the Lord Jesus is being lived out; sin does not have dominion because the indwelling Holy Spirit continually manifests the life of the Lord Jesus. The carnal Christian is a true believer, yet in him the self-life is dominant and sin still has the upper hand. Such a Christian is defeated and has not yet learned to let the spirit of God take control of his personality. The carnal life is one of continual defeat and struggle. There is neither peace nor power, Joy nor liberty. The spirit is bound and there is little evidence of the fruit of the spirit of God.” -Dwight Hervey Small
1. It is possible for one to assume the place and privileges of a son while refusing to love their brother.
His father said to him, ‘Look, dear son, you have always stayed by me, and everything I have is yours. Luke 15:31 NLT
HUMILITY LEADS TO GRATITUDE, BUT PRIDE AND SELFISHNESS LEADS TO BITTERNESS
But if you are bitterly jealous and there is selfish ambition in your heart, don’t cover up the truth with boasting and lying. For jealousy and selfishness are not God’s kind of wisdom. Such things are earthly, unspiritual, and demonic. For wherever there is jealousy and selfish ambition, there you will find disorder and evil of every kind. James 3:14-16 NLT
2. It is possible for one to serve the father Faithfully while not being in fellowship with Him.
but he replied, ‘All these years I’ve slaved for you and never once refused to do a single thing you told me to. And in all that time you never gave me even one young goat for a feast with my friends. Luke 15:29 NLT
YOU HAVE TO KNOW THE WHY BEHIND THE WHAT IN YOUR SERVICE TO THE FATHER.
3. It is possible for one to be the heir of all his father's possessions yet to have less joy and Liberty than one who possesses nothing.
Meanwhile, the older son was in the fields working. When he returned home, he heard music and dancing in the house, and he asked one of the servants what was going on. ‘Your brother is back,’ he was told, ‘and your father has killed the fattened calf. We are celebrating because of his safe return.’ The older brother was angry and wouldn’t go in. Luke 15:25-28 NLT
IF YOU DO NOT SHARE IN THE FATHER’S BURDENS YOU CANNOT SHARE IN THE FATHER’S JOY.
So he returned home to his father. And while he was still a long way off, his father saw him coming. Filled with love and compassion, he ran to his son, embraced him, and kissed him. Luke 15:20 NLT
For I have come down from heaven to do the will of God who sent me, not to do my own will. John 6:38 NLT
And since we are his children, we are his heirs. In fact, together with Christ we are heirs of God’s glory. But if we are to share his glory, we must also share his suffering. Romans 8:17 NLT
IF YOU STAY HOLY AND HUMBLE YOU ARE ON A HEAD-ON COLLISION FOR GREATNESS.
YOU CAN’T BE HUMBLE AND SELF-CENTERED AT THE SAME TIME
YOU CAN’T BE HUMBLE AND SELF-RIGHTEOUS AT THE SAME TIME
YOU CAN’T BE HUMBLE AND FULL OF SELF-PITY AT THE SAME TIME