Egoísmo
O egoísmo é o oposto do amor cristão. Jesus nos ensinou a negar a nós mesmos, tomar a cruz e segui-lo. A vida cristã é vida de entrega, serviço e generosidade.
Negar-se a si mesmo
Se alguém quer vir após mim, negue-se a si mesmo. O caminho de Cristo é o caminho da auto-entrega e do serviço.
34 And having called in the multitude with his disciples, he said to them, Whoever wants to follow behind me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.
31 And this second is similar, Thou shall love thy neighbor as thyself. There is no other commandment greater than these.
20 I have been crucified with Christ, and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. And what I now live in flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God who loved me and gave himself up for me.
3 in nothing according to selfish ambition or empty conceit, but in humility considering each other surpassing yourselves.
24 But I make nothing of the matter, nor do I hold my life precious to myself, so as to fully complete my course with joy, and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to solemnly testify the good-news of the grace of God.
Viver para os outros
Ninguém busque o próprio interesse, mas o do próximo. O amor não busca os seus próprios interesses.
24 Let not one man seek that of himself, but each man that of the other.
4 Love is patient and is kind. Love does not envy. Love does not brag, and is not puffed up.5 It does not behave improperly, does not seek the things of itself, is not made sharp, does not contemplate evil,
18 Let not one man deceive himself. If any man among you seems to be wise in this age, let him become foolish so that he may become wise.
2 Let each of us please his neighbor for what is good toward edification.
25 The generous soul shall be made prosperous, and he who waters shall also be watered himself.
2 A fool has no delight in understanding, but only that his heart may reveal itself.
36 Incline my heart to thy testimonies, and not to covetousness.
16 For where envy and selfish ambition are, there is instability and every evil deed.