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1 Corinthians 13:1-3– If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.
The greatest gift we can give someone is love. Love is how you act and feel towards others. How do you feel when you meet strangers whether it is in traffic, at the grocery store or when you are in a rush to get somewhere?
Be sure to treat others as a thou/who and not an I/It. When you are on the phone with someone are you treating them as a sibling in christ and an image of God rather than a way to get something?
God has a very sacred relationship with everyone whether they are lost or saved. God wants us to have that same loving relationship with everyone as well. If not we may be teaching others to treat themselves as less than a child of God.
3 ways to love others:
1. Stop mind reading
1 Corinthians 2:11- For who knows a person’s thoughts except for their own spirit within them? In the same way, no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God.
Exodus20:16-You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor.
Give them a chance and ask them what they are thinking and give them a chance. Treat them as a person. Everyone has the right to be heard, be given the benefit of the doubt, and be trusted.
2. Manage your expectations
Potential expectation problems can be unconscious, unrealistic, unspoken, and unagreed upon.
Valid expectations must be conscious, realistic, spoken, and agreed upon.
3. Stop Avoiding Conflict – But do it privately not publically. In private is always better than in public.
Matthew18:15- If your brother or sister sins, go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over.
We need to figure out how to clarify our expectations, fight cleanly, clarify our expectstions and communicate what triggers our frustration. With triggers, it can be the smallest things like using a clean towel instead of a paper towel to clean a spill or putting the toilet paper in the right way.
Communicating these as expectations, however, can reduce conflict and allow you to communicate in love when it does arise. When there is conflict be sure to remember you are communicating with your sibling in Christ and someone you love.
Connect With Us:
If you have not been out to Groundswell Church before we want to meet you. Let’s meet for coffee. Contact us Here:
At Groundswell, we know that personal connection is vital in connecting with a spiritual community. Our pastors love people and would be excited to meet you for a coffee, phone call, or meal to answer any questions you might have and get to know you better.
If you would like to meet one of our pastors, please send a quick note to info@thegroundswellchurch.com and we will try to arrange a meeting asap.
If you would like to join our church family today we’d love to have you.