Jesus taught to put others first: Love puts others first
1st Corinthians 13:1-8a | If I could speak all the languages of earth and of angels, but didn’t love others, I would only be a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. If I had the gift of prophecy, and if I understood all of God’s secret plans and possessed all knowledge, and if I had such faith that I could move mountains, but didn’t love others, I would be nothing. If I gave everything I have to the poor and even sacrificed my body, I could boast about it; but if I didn’t love others, I would have gained nothing. 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. Prophecy and speaking in unknown languages and special knowledge will become useless. But love will last forever!
Why is love so important for God’s followers? Why does 1st Corinthians 13 say it is more important than so many other good things (like being a good teacher, knowing God’s Word really well, or having a strong faith)?
How does 1st Corinthians 13 describe love?
What is it and what is it not?
How are these things linked to putting others first?
Loving others as ourselves is the second great commandment. Using 1st Corinthians 13 as a guide, what would loving someone else well look like?
What from your list are you doing?
What from your list do you need to work on?