Day 2
Love Does not envy, is not
puffed up.
Compliments of J.
Vernon McGee.
Love does not envy, which
means that love is content with its lot. We all know that life is filled with
inequality. Some men are rich, and I hear Christians ask, "Why did
God bless that man so much wealth and not give me some?" Love
recognizes that there are inequalities, and love is satisfied with its lot.
Remember that the very first murder, when Cain slew Abel, was prompted by
envy.
We do well to ponder
the example of John the Baptist who showed no envy when the ministry of Jesus
was growing in popularity with the people. John said, "He must
increase, but I must decrease" (John 3:30). When we consider each
have a different lot in life and each have a different ministry for the Lord,
we should consider the words of our Lord himself when He talked to
Peter"....If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee?
Follow thou me ' (John 21:22). Bacon said that envy "is a vile
affection and it's most depraved of any thing."
An example of a man
who loved another man without envy is Jonathan. Although he was the crown
prince, he did not envy David even though he knew that David would occupy the
throne in his stead.
"Love vaunteth
not itself." Moffitt translates this "makes no parade."
It is not boastful or ostentatious. You know, there is vulgarity
about boasting.
A young preacher
stood up in a conference in Tennessee and said, "I want you to know that I
am not a trained minister. I am an ignorant minister, and I'm proud of
it." The bishop answered him, "I can see you have a lot to be proud
of, and, young man, it is dangerous to boast even about ignorance."
"Love is not
puffed up." That means it does not travel on air--it is not
inflated. You know what it is like to be traveling on a tire filled with
air. the suddenly have a flat tire. There is many a flat tire even among
Christians because there are so many who are puffed up. When the air is gone,
there is nothing there!
Questions for Reflection
In what areas do
you find it difficult to be content with your “lot?” How does this work out in your
life/relationships?
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When
are the times that you find yourself getting puffed up, inflated? Why do these parts of life trigger pride in
you?
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Look at John 21:18-23
Based on this passage, as you identify ways in
which you are comparing yourself to others, what do you think Jesus would say
to you?
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Based
on the above devotional, write out a prayer to the Lord.
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