How do we love as Christians? (I Timothy 1:5)
Two key points in how we should love as Christians deal with ourselves. Self-denial and self-sacrifice to benefit others around us.
Self-denial - saying no to our own fleshly desires, wants, and dreams.
Self-sacrifice - saying no to our own desires, wants, and dreams when it negatively effects others or ourselves.
This is not necessarily saying no to only bad things, but could be saying no to good things that benefit ourselves only while the decision or act hinders/handicaps others.
Application
Everyone - say no to watching your favorite television program in turn go and help or visit someone who has little help or not many visitors.
Church Members - say no to your personal preferences when something comes up that you don’t like.
Pastors - spend equal amount of time with those that aren’t as easy to listen to or have patience with.
Husbands - give your wife a back rub when you would rather be sleeping.
Wives - sit down with your husband and watch a sporting event that he enjoys.
Fathers - read your children a book EVERY day (or better yet the Bible or Bible stories).
Mothers - have patience with your children when for the 100th time they do something wrong. Remember God’s long-suffering with us (I Tim. 1:16)
Children - Play what your brother or sister want to play for however they want to play it.
