Lessons from the Vine

something to ponder.........

In light of my previous post, I thought this would be most appropriate to share simply b/c when we are puffed up with pride, we are not able to love others with genuine love. 
I came upon this checklist, based on the love chapter in 1 Corinthians, in  a book that I am currently reading entitled "The Discipline of Grace" by Jeff Bridges.  As I read through this, I realized how sorely I am lacking in my genuine love for others.  It's one thing to say you love and to even "act" as though you love, but to love sincerely from the very depths of your heart is a whole different story....especially when it comes to those difficult people in our lives.(and let's face it, we ourselves fall into that category many times)
Read on and keep in mind the people in your life.(spouses, children, parents, siblings,in-laws, extended family, friends, co-workers,etc.) Be honest with yourself as you reflect on the following:

1)  I am patient with you b/c I love you.
2)  I am kind to you b/c I love you and want to help you.
3)  I do not envy your possessions or your gifts b/c I love you and want you to have the best.
4)  I do not boast about my attainments b/c I love you and want to hear about yours.
5)  I am not proud b/c I love you and want to esteem you b/f myself.
6)  I am not rude b/c I love you and care about your feelings.
7)  I am not self-seeking b/c I love you and want to meet your needs.
8)  I am not easily angered b/c I love you and want to overlook your offenses.
9)  I do not keep a record of your wrongs b/c I love you and "love covers a multitude of sins."

I've read this over and over and even now as I type it all out, I am so disappointed at how selfish I am.

Lord, you are my only hope.....You and You alone are the only one who can fill me with true love and compassion for others....please do this in me.  For "if I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but do not have love, I have become a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.  If I have the gift of prophecy and know all mysteries and all knowledge; and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing.  And if I give all my possessions to the poor, and if I surrender my body to be burned, but do not have love, it profits me nothing." ( 1 Corinthians 13:1-3)

2:18 PM - Aug. 22, 2007 - post comment

. . . have not love. . .

I am definitely a resounding gong! That's what I feel like all the time -- I am easily angered, show my annoyance at once, and envy those who have things (seemingly) more under control than I do. My poor husband and children have to hear the "GONG" so much, I wonder how they put up with me at all -- but they continue to insist they love me. Go figure! Thanks for the challenge to read and apply this list.

One more thought...... I just heard part of a sermon the other night on the radio talking about love vs. knowledge. It was based on 1 Corinthians 8, which talks about the people of that time eating meat offered to idols, and how something could be a stumbling block to a fellow believer even if it seems okay to you. The pastor said that erring on the side of love and deferring to your brother or sister in Christ (not indulging in whatever they may be offended by in their presence or arguing about it with them) will always win over the "knowledge" that puffs us up and causes division and possibly lays a stumbling block before someone else. "Love never fails."

Those are my thoughts. Sorry it's so lengthy.

Love ya',
Maureen

Maureen - 1:19 AM - Aug. 25, 2007

Untitled Comment

Great post. I'll have to print that list up and refer to it several times a day. I definately have weaknesses when it comes to loving others.

What a wise woman you are!

MotherJoy - 4:00 PM - Aug. 27, 2007

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Sharing lessons learned from "The Vine" "I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing."
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