Love - Lesson 7: Love Lived Out (5) – Doesn’t Behave Inappropriately, Doesn’t Seek Its Own

Love

Lesson 7: Love Lived Out (5) – Doesn’t Behave Inappropriately, Doesn’t Seek Its Own

1 Corinthians 13:5a doesn’t behave itself inappropriately, doesn’t seek its own way,

1 Corinthians 13:5a [NETfree] It is not rude, it is not self-serving,

Romans 12:17b Respect what is honorable in the sight of all men.

1 Corinthians 10:24 Let no one seek his own, but each one his neighbor’s good.

James 2:8 However, if you fulfill the royal law, according to the Scripture, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” you do well.

INAPPROPRIATE, a. [in and appropriate.]

Not appropriate; unsuited; not proper.

1. Not appropriate; not belonging to.

“inappropriate.” Noah Webster's 1828 American Dictionary of the English Language. 2015. http://1828.mshaffer.com/d/word/inappropriate (16 September 2015).

APPROPRIATE, a.

1. Belonging peculiarly; peculiar; set apart for a particular use or person; as, religious worship is an appropriate duty to the Creator.

2. Most suitable, fit or proper; as, to use appropriate words in pleading.

“appropriate.” Noah Webster's 1828 American Dictionary of the English Language. 2015. http://1828.mshaffer.com/d/word/appropriate (16 September 2015).

RUDE

adjective, ruder, rudest.

1. discourteous or impolite, especially in a deliberate way:

a rude reply.

"rude." Dictionary.com Unabridged. Random House, Inc. 16 Sep. 2015. <Dictionary.com http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/rude>.

SELFISH, a.

Regarding one's own interest chiefly or soley; influenced in actions by a view to private advantage.

“selfish.” Noah Webster's 1828 American Dictionary of the English Language. 2015. http://1828.mshaffer.com/d/word/selfish (16 September 2015).

UNSELFISH, a.

Not selfish; not unduly attached to one's own interest.

“unselfish.” Noah Webster's 1828 American Dictionary of the English Language. 2015. http://1828.mshaffer.com/d/word/unselfish (16 September 2015).

The Main Points for This Lesson:

This series of lessons will center around love as seen in chapter 13 of the apostle Paul's first epistle to the Corinthians. The purpose of these lessons is to teach about love: love's importance; what love looks like lived out, including what it is and what it isn't, and what it does and what it doesn't do; love's greatness.

In previous lessons we have seen that love is patient and love is kind. We have also begun to look at what love is not and does not: Love doesn’t envy; Love doesn’t brag; Love is not proud. In this lesson we will continue this by considering that love doesn’t behave itself inappropriately, and love doesn’t seek its own way. These items are not separate and unconnected. It seems that in some way or another each item affects another.

Love does not behave itself inappropriately. Some translations read, “love is not rude.” Different situations, circumstances, people, relationships, etc., call for different behaviors in some way or another. One type of behavior may be appropriate during class time with a teacher. Another behavior may be appropriate during play time with your friends. Some behavior may be appropriate with your parents. Some other behavior may be appropriate or proper with your friends. Love does not behave itself inappropriately.

In all those situations, and with all those people, one part of loving others is to choose to behave appropriately. It is possible to be rude or behave inappropriately from ignorance. We didn't know better. It is also possible to do this because we choose to do so, which may include choosing to remain ignorant about appropriate behavior. I think this is referring to the inappropriate behavior that is willful in some form or another.

While some appropriate behaviors may vary with the situation or person, other behaviors are always appropriate or always inappropriate. Love is kind. In all situations and relationships, we should behave with kindness toward others, both with our actions and our words. Love is not selfish. It is always appropriate to think of others and how to help them. On the other hand, it is always inappropriate to behave with unkindness toward others and to act selfishly.

Love does not seek its own way. Love is not selfish. To be selfish is to look out for your self and your own interests either chiefly or only. Most people have little trouble thinking about themselves and what they want for themselves. Love is not selfish. Love does not look out for itself first and foremost. Jesus commanded us to love our neighbor as ourselves. As much as we look out for ourselves, we should look out for the good of others. Love looks out for his neighbor's good.

This part of the character of love is connected to many other aspects of the character of love. If we are selfish, we will be quite willing to behave inappropriately, if that serves our own ends. If I am selfish, then envy, bragging and pride will all easily find a home within me. A selfish person will not suffer long (be patient) or show kindness from the heart. We must die to self, we must die to seeking our own way if we desire to love with the love that is patient and kind.

In this life we must choose. Will we seek to get our own way, or will we choose to care for others equally and (possibly) better than ourselves? Will we seek to live our own way for our own goals, or will we choose to seek first the things of Christ? Will we live for ourselves, or will we choose to love God and others? May God grant us grace and a living faith that will daily learn to choose to deny ourselves and take up our cross and follow Jesus.

Suggestions:

To open the lesson, pray for the teacher and the students.

Let the children know that we are having some lessons on 1 Corinthians 13, about love. While 1 Corinthians 13 is not the only place God teaches us about love, it provides a very helpful, practical, and (perhaps) easily understood description of love.

In this lesson, we will learn about what love looks like lived out in our lives.

Read 1 Corinthians 13:5a. “Love doesn’t behave itself inappropriately, doesn’t seek its own way,” is the focus of this lesson.

Read or tell the story in Matthew 22:11-13 about the wedding guest who didn't put on wedding clothing. Use this story to introduce the idea of inappropriate behavior. To what event did the man come? (A wedding.) Did he choose to wear appropriate clothing to the wedding? (No.) What kind of clothing should he have worn? (Wedding clothes.)

Explain to the children that just as there is appropriate clothing for certain situations, so there is appropriate behavior for different situations or for certain people or relationships. Ask them: What would appropriate behavior be when you are in school in class? What would appropriate behavior be when you are swimming with friends? Is there appropriate behavior for both situations? (ie. kindness and patience in words and deeds.)

Sometimes, behaving inappropriately may seem fun, or exciting, or just tempting for some unexplained reason. Love does not behave inappropriately.

Ask the children if they know what it means to seek your own? Have they ever wanted to get their own way, even if it meant someone else might get hurt? Ask them if they can tell you what it means to be selfish?

Read or tell either one of the stories about Judah (Genesis 44:17-34) and Moses (Numbers 14:10-19). You don't need to read or tell both stories. These stories provide examples of men who did not seek their own. They were not selfish.

Judah (Genesis 44:17-34). Joseph said he would keep Benjamin as his personal slave, and let the other 10 brothers return home to their father. What did Judah ask Joseph? (If Joseph would take him as his slave and let Benjamin return to his father.) Was this selfish or unselfish? (Unselfish.) Would you say that Judah loved or did not love his father and Benjamin? (Love does not seek its own, so Judah loved.)

Moses (Numbers 14:10-19). Israel rebelled against God and wanted to replace Moses. God stepped in and told Moses that he would kill all the Israelites and build a new nation starting with Moses. What did Moses say to God? (Don't do it.) What did Moses ask God to do for the people? (He asked God to show mercy to the people.) Was this selfish or unselfish on Moses' part? Was he thinking of himself first, or was he thinking of God and God's people first? (Unselfish. He was thinking of God and God's people first.) Would you say that Moses' loved God and loved the children of Israel who wanted to get rid of Moses? (Love does not seek its own, so Moses showed that he loved God and the people by his actions.)

Ask the children if they can think of time when they have behaved inappropriately, when they knew they shouldn't, or if they have been selfish at some time, only thinking of themselves and how to get their own way? Can they think of anyone who has shown love by behaving appropriately or by not being selfish?

To close the lesson, pray with the children (perhaps that we could learn to love others through appropriate behavior and by dying to self), and have all the children read the Lord's prayer together.

Stories:

DOES NOT BEHAVE INAPPROPRIATELY

Matthew 22:11-13 [10] Those servants went out into the highways, and gathered together as many as they found, both bad and good. The wedding was filled with guests. [11] But when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man who didn’t have on wedding clothing, [12] and he said to him, ‘Friend, how did you come in here not wearing wedding clothing?’ He was speechless. [13] Then the king said to the servants, ‘Bind him hand and foot, take him away, and throw him into the outer darkness; there is where the weeping and grinding of teeth will be.’

The man at the wedding without wedding clothing was not dressed appropriately. At a wedding, it is appropriate to wear wedding clothing. In the same way, situations, circumstances, relationships, etc. call for certain behavior. One type of behavior may be appropriate for a classroom. Another type of behavior may be appropriate for swimming in a lake with friends. One type of behavior may be appropriate when talking with your parents, and another may be appropriate when talking with your friends. However, some types of behavior may never (or at best, rarely) be appropriate. This story about the wedding guest who chose to come to a wedding without appropriate clothing can help illustrate this idea of behaving appropriately and inappropriately.

DOES NOT SEEK ITS OWN

Genesis 44:17-34 [17] He said, “Far be it from me that I should do so. The man in whose hand the cup is found, he will be my slave; but as for you, go up in peace to your father.” [18] Then Judah came near to him, and said, “Oh, my lord, please let your servant speak a word in my lord’s ears, and don’t let your anger burn against your servant; for you are even as Pharaoh. [19] My lord asked his servants, saying, ‘Have you a father, or a brother?’ [20] We said to my lord, ‘We have a father, an old man, and a child of his old age, a little one; and his brother is dead, and he alone is left of his mother; and his father loves him.’ [21] You said to your servants, ‘Bring him down to me, that I may set my eyes on him.’ [22] We said to my lord, ‘The boy can’t leave his father: for if he should leave his father, his father would die.’ [23] You said to your servants, ‘Unless your youngest brother comes down with you, you will see my face no more.’ [24] When we came up to your servant my father, we told him the words of my lord. [25] Our father said, ‘Go again, buy us a little food.’ [26] We said, ‘We can’t go down. If our youngest brother is with us, then we will go down: for we may not see the man’s face, unless our youngest brother is with us.’ [27] Your servant, my father, said to us, ‘You know that my wife bore me two sons: [28] and the one went out from me, and I said, “Surely he is torn in pieces”; and I haven’t seen him since. [29] If you take this one also from me, and harm happens to him, you will bring down my gray hairs with sorrow to Sheol.’ [] [30] Now therefore when I come to your servant my father, and the boy is not with us; since his life is bound up in the boy’s life; [31] it will happen, when he sees that the boy is no more, that he will die. Your servants will bring down the gray hairs of your servant, our father, with sorrow to Sheol. [] [32] For your servant became collateral for the boy to my father, saying, ‘If I don’t bring him to you, then I will bear the blame to my father forever.’ [33] Now therefore, please let your servant stay instead of the boy, my lord’s slave; and let the boy go up with his brothers. [34] For how will I go up to my father, if the boy isn’t with me?—lest I see the evil that will come on my father.”

It seems in the past that Judah cared for himself. Here he is a different man. He no longer is looking out for himself first. In order to care for his father, he is willing to surrender his own life and freedom.

Numbers 14:10-19 [10] But all the congregation threatened to stone them with stones. Yahweh’s glory appeared in the Tent of Meeting to all the children of Israel. [11] Yahweh said to Moses, “How long will this people despise me? and how long will they not believe in me, for all the signs which I have worked among them? [12] I will strike them with the pestilence, and disinherit them, and will make of you a nation greater and mightier than they.” [13] Moses said to Yahweh, “Then the Egyptians will hear it; for you brought up this people in your might from among them. [14] They will tell it to the inhabitants of this land. They have heard that you Yahweh are in the midst of this people; for you Yahweh are seen face to face, and your cloud stands over them, and you go before them, in a pillar of cloud by day, and in a pillar of fire by night. [15] Now if you killed this people as one man, then the nations which have heard the fame of you will speak, saying, [16] ‘Because Yahweh was not able to bring this people into the land which he swore to them, therefore he has slain them in the wilderness.’ [17] Now please let the power of the Lord [] be great, according as you have spoken, saying, [18] ‘Yahweh is slow to anger, and abundant in loving kindness, forgiving iniquity and disobedience; and that will by no means clear the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children, on the third and on the fourth generation.’ [19] Please pardon the iniquity of this people according to the greatness of your loving kindness, and according as you have forgiven this people, from Egypt even until now.”

Hearing an ill report from the 10 spies, the children of Israel refused to enter the promised land. When the congregation threatened to stone Joshua and Caleb (and perhaps Moses and Aaron as well?), the Lord appeared and spoke with Moses. He said that he would destroy all the people and create a new and greater nation of people from Moses and his descendants. In his response, Moses illustrates what it means that love does not seek its own. Moses did not seek his own greatness. Rather, he sought the glory of the Lord's name and he sought for mercy for the very people who wanted to leave him behind and appoint a new leader to lead them to Egypt.

More Stories and Examples:

INAPPROPRIATELY / RUDE

2 Samuel 24:18-25 [18] Gad came that day to David, and said to him, “Go up, build an altar to Yahweh on the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite.” [19] David went up according to the saying of Gad, as Yahweh commanded. [20] Araunah looked out, and saw the king and his servants coming on toward him. Then Araunah went out, and bowed himself before the king with his face to the ground. [21] Araunah said, “Why has my lord the king come to his servant?” David said, “To buy your threshing floor, to build an altar to Yahweh, that the plague may be stopped from afflicting the people.” [22] Araunah said to David, “Let my lord the king take and offer up what seems good to him. Behold, the cattle for the burnt offering, and the threshing instruments and the yokes of the oxen for the wood: [23] all this, king, does Araunah give to the king.” Araunah said to the king, “May Yahweh your God accept you.” [24] The king said to Araunah, “No; but I will most certainly buy it from you for a price. I will not offer burnt offerings to Yahweh my God which cost me nothing.” So David bought the threshing floor and the oxen for fifty shekels of silver. [25] David built an altar to Yahweh there, and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings. So Yahweh was entreated for the land, and the plague was stayed from Israel.

Malachi 1:5-10 [5] Your eyes will see, and you will say, “Yahweh is great—even beyond the border of Israel!” [6] “A son honors his father, and a servant his master. If I am a father, then where is my honor? And if I am a master, where is the respect due me? Says Yahweh of Armies to you, priests, who despise my name. You say, ‘How have we despised your name?’ [7] You offer polluted bread on my altar. You say, ‘How have we polluted you?’ In that you say, ‘Yahweh’s table is contemptible.’ [8] When you offer the blind for sacrifice, isn’t that evil? And when you offer the lame and sick, isn’t that evil? Present it now to your governor! Will he be pleased with you? Or will he accept your person?” says Yahweh of Armies. [9] “Now, please entreat the favor of God, that he may be gracious to us. With this, will he accept any of you?” says Yahweh of Armies. [10] “Oh that there were one among you who would shut the doors, that you might not kindle fire on my altar in vain! I have no pleasure in you,” says Yahweh of Armies, “neither will I accept an offering at your hand.

The people were bringing offerings that were not appropriate for the one to whom they were offering. They brought polluted bread and blind, sick and lame animals. Their inappropriate behavior in bringing such offerings showed their lack of love for God.

John 8:30-51 [48] Then the Jews answered him, “Don’t we say well that you are a Samaritan, and have a demon?” [49] Jesus answered, “I don’t have a demon, but I honor my Father, and you dishonor me. [50] But I don’t seek my own glory. There is one who seeks and judges. [51] Most certainly, I tell you, if a person keeps my word, he will never see death.”

The Jews with whom Jesus was speaking seemed to care first for themselves and for their own glory. As such, they were willing to speak such rude and inappropriate things to Jesus.

John 18:19-23 [19] The high priest therefore asked Jesus about his disciples, and about his teaching. [20] Jesus answered him, “I spoke openly to the world. I always taught in synagogues, and in the temple, where the Jews always meet. I said nothing in secret. [21] Why do you ask me? Ask those who have heard me what I said to them. Behold, these know the things which I said.” [22] When he had said this, one of the officers standing by slapped Jesus with his hand, saying, “Do you answer the high priest like that?” [23] Jesus answered him, “If I have spoken evil, testify of the evil; but if well, why do you beat me?”

Caring for themselves and their own glory first, they were willing to behave inappropriately toward Jesus. One example is the officer slapping Jesus when Jesus had done no wrong. Inappropriate and rude behavior is often a symptom of selfishness, of caring first and foremost for yourself.

DOES NOT SEEK ITS OWN / NOT SELFISH

Luke 12:16-21 [16] He spoke a parable to them, saying, “The ground of a certain rich man produced abundantly. [17] He reasoned within himself, saying, ‘What will I do, because I don’t have room to store my crops?’ [18] He said, ‘This is what I will do. I will pull down my barns, and build bigger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. [19] I will tell my soul, “Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years. Take your ease, eat, drink, be merry.”’ [20] “But God said to him, ‘You foolish one, tonight your soul is required of you. The things which you have prepared—whose will they be?’ [21] So is he who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.”

This certain rich man was seeking his own. He cared for himself above all others.

Luke 14:7-11 [7] He spoke a parable to those who were invited, when he noticed how they chose the best seats, and said to them, [8] “When you are invited by anyone to a marriage feast, don’t sit in the best seat, since perhaps someone more honorable than you might be invited by him, [9] and he who invited both of you would come and tell you, ‘Make room for this person.’ Then you would begin, with shame, to take the lowest place. [10] But when you are invited, go and sit in the lowest place, so that when he who invited you comes, he may tell you, ‘Friend, move up higher.’ Then you will be honored in the presence of all who sit at the table with you. [11] For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.”

Those who chose the best seats were looking out for themselves first.

Luke 14:12-14 [12] He also said to the one who had invited him, “When you make a dinner or a supper, don’t call your friends, nor your brothers, nor your kinsmen, nor rich neighbors, or perhaps they might also return the favor, and pay you back. [13] But when you make a feast, ask the poor, the maimed, the lame, or the blind; [14] and you will be blessed, because they don’t have the resources to repay you. For you will be repaid in the resurrection of the righteous.”

Instead of looking out for ourselves first, we should care for others, especially those in need, in real and practical ways.

John 12:1-8 [1] Then six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazarus was, who had been dead, whom he raised from the dead. [2] So they made him a supper there. Martha served, but Lazarus was one of those who sat at the table with him. [3] Mary, therefore, took a pound [] of ointment of pure nard, very precious, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance of the ointment. [4] Then Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, one of his disciples, who would betray him, said, [5] “Why wasn’t this ointment sold for three hundred denarii, and given to the poor?” [6] Now he said this, not because he cared for the poor, but because he was a thief, and having the money box, used to steal what was put into it. [7] But Jesus said, “Leave her alone. She has kept this for the day of my burial. [8] For you always have the poor with you, but you don’t always have me.”

2 Corinthians 8:9 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that you through his poverty might become rich.

Other Verses:

DOES NOT BEHAVE ITSELF INAPPROPRIATELY

Proverbs 11:22 Like a gold ring in a pig’s snout, is a beautiful woman who lacks discretion.

Isaiah 3:5 The people will be oppressed, everyone by another, and everyone by his neighbor. The child will behave himself proudly against the old man, and the base against the honorable.

Romans 12:17 Repay no one evil for evil. Respect what is honorable in the sight of all men.

1 Corinthians 11:13-16 [13] Judge for yourselves. Is it appropriate that a woman pray to God unveiled? [14] Doesn’t even nature itself teach you that if a man has long hair, it is a dishonor to him? [15] But if a woman has long hair, it is a glory to her, for her hair is given to her for a covering. [16] But if any man seems to be contentious, we have no such custom, neither do God’s assemblies.

1 Corinthians 11:17-22 [17] But in giving you this command, I don’t praise you, that you come together not for the better but for the worse. [18] For first of all, when you come together in the assembly, I hear that divisions exist among you, and I partly believe it. [19] For there also must be factions among you, that those who are approved may be revealed among you. [20] When therefore you assemble yourselves together, it is not the Lord’s supper that you eat. [21] For in your eating each one takes his own supper first. One is hungry, and another is drunken. [22] What, don’t you have houses to eat and to drink in? Or do you despise God’s assembly, and put them to shame who don’t have? What shall I tell you? Shall I praise you? In this I don’t praise you.

1 Corinthians 14:33b-40 [33b] As in all the assemblies of the saints, [34] let your wives keep silent in the assemblies, for it has not been permitted for them to speak; but let them be in subjection, as the law also says. [35] If they desire to learn anything, let them ask their own husbands at home, for it is shameful for a woman to chatter in the assembly. [36] What? Was it from you that the word of God went out? Or did it come to you alone? [37] If any man thinks himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him recognize the things which I write to you, that they are the commandment of the Lord. [38] But if anyone is ignorant, let him be ignorant. [39] Therefore, brothers, desire earnestly to prophesy, and don’t forbid speaking with other languages. [40] Let all things be done decently and in order.

Philippians 4:8-9 [8] Finally, brothers, whatever things are true, whatever things are honorable, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report; if there is any virtue, and if there is any praise, think about these things. [9] The things which you learned, received, heard, and saw in me: do these things, and the God of peace will be with you.

Instead of behaving inappropriately, we ought to think of good things, imitate good examples, and obey good instruction about how to live.

2 Thessalonians 3:6-7 [6] Now we command you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you withdraw yourselves from every brother who walks in rebellion, and not after the tradition which they received from us. [7] For you know how you ought to imitate us. For we didn’t behave ourselves rebelliously among you,

DOES NOT SEEK ITS OWN

Matthew 6:31-34 [31] “Therefore don’t be anxious, saying, ‘What will we eat?’, ‘What will we drink?’ or, ‘With what will we be clothed?’ [32] For the Gentiles seek after all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. [33] But seek first God’s Kingdom, and his righteousness; and all these things will be given to you as well. [34] Therefore don’t be anxious for tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Each day’s own evil is sufficient.

Luke 14:25-33 [25] Now great multitudes were going with him. He turned and said to them, [26] “If anyone comes to me, and doesn’t disregard his own father, mother, wife, children, brothers, and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he can’t be my disciple. [27] Whoever doesn’t bear his own cross, and come after me, can’t be my disciple. [28] For which of you, desiring to build a tower, doesn’t first sit down and count the cost, to see if he has enough to complete it? [29] Or perhaps, when he has laid a foundation, and is not able to finish, everyone who sees begins to mock him, [30] saying, ‘This man began to build, and wasn’t able to finish.’ [31] Or what king, as he goes to encounter another king in war, will not sit down first and consider whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him who comes against him with twenty thousand? [32] Or else, while the other is yet a great way off, he sends an envoy, and asks for conditions of peace. [33] So therefore whoever of you who doesn’t renounce all that he has, he can’t be my disciple.

Romans 12:10 In love of the brothers be tenderly affectionate one to another; in honor preferring one another;

Romans 15:1-3 [1] Now we who are strong ought to bear the weaknesses of the weak, and not to please ourselves. [2] Let each one of us please his neighbor for that which is good, to be building him up. [3] For even Christ didn’t please himself. But, as it is written, “The reproaches of those who reproached you fell on me.”

1 Corinthians 10:24 Let no one seek his own, but each one his neighbor’s good.

1 Corinthians 10:31-33 [31] Whether therefore you eat, or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. [32] Give no occasions for stumbling, either to Jews, or to Greeks, or to the assembly of God; [33] even as I also please all men in all things, not seeking my own profit, but the profit of the many, that they may be saved.

2 Corinthians 5:14-15 [14] For the love of Christ constrains us; because we judge thus, that one died for all, therefore all died. [15] He died for all, that those who live should no longer live to themselves, but to him who for their sakes died and rose again.

Galatians 6:2 Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.

Philippians 2:1-13 [1] If there is therefore any exhortation in Christ, if any consolation of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any tender mercies and compassion, [2] make my joy full, by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind; [3] doing nothing through rivalry or through conceit, but in humility, each counting others better than himself; [4] each of you not just looking to his own things, but each of you also to the things of others. [5] Have this in your mind, which was also in Christ Jesus, [6] who, existing in the form of God, didn’t consider equality with God a thing to be grasped, [7] but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in the likeness of men. [8] And being found in human form, he humbled himself, becoming obedient to death, yes, the death of the cross. [9] Therefore God also highly exalted him, and gave to him the name which is above every name; [10] that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, those on earth, and those under the earth, [11] and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. [12] So then, my beloved, even as you have always obeyed, not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. [13] For it is God who works in you both to will and to work, for his good pleasure.

Philippians 2:19-22 [19] But I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, that I also may be cheered up when I know how you are doing. [20] For I have no one else like-minded, who will truly care about you. [21] For they all seek their own, not the things of Jesus Christ. [22] But you know the proof of him, that, as a child serves a father, so he served with me in furtherance of the Good News.

2 Timothy 3:1-5 [1] But know this, that in the last days, grievous times will come. [2] For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, [3] without natural affection, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, fierce, not lovers of good, [4] traitors, headstrong, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God; [5] holding a form of godliness, but having denied its power. Turn away from these, also.

James 2:8 However, if you fulfill the royal law, according to the Scripture, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” you do well.