Power Point - August 19, 2005

August 19, 2005

I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

--Ephesians 3:16-19 (NIV)

Learning how to give love is essential to your spiritual, mental, and physical health. The Bible tells us that in the end days “because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold” (Matthew 24:12). We are seeing that in this terminal generation in which we live. We have become a loveless society, and people are looking for love in all the wrong places.

Scripture describes what true love is and what it is not: “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices in truth” (1 Corinthians 13:4-6, NIV).

Love is not boastful, proud, haughty, rude, or selfish. Why? Because one of the opposites of love is pride. Pride will reduce your love life to nothing, produce misunderstanding, provoke arguments, and prevent intimacy. There’s nothing that’s a bigger turn-off than for people to see you as a selfish promoter. Humility warms people up and arrogance puts them down.

There are just a few words we could use that would transform our relationships at the office, on campus, in our homes, and in our neighborhoods when pride gets in the way: “I was wrong. Please forgive me.” If you want a new beginning in your relationships, you must first admit your own failure and mistakes and put aside your pride. Learn to accept your humanity and imperfections, recognize God’s grace, and experience His unconditional love.

RATHER THAN LIVE WITH PROBLEMS IN YOUR RELATIONSHIPS,

REMOVE THE PRIDE FROM YOUR HEART AND LIVE IN THE LOVE OF GOD.