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 calling the multitude together with his disciples, he said to them: If any man will follow me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.
31 And the second is like to it: Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is no other commandment greater than these.
20 And I live, now not I; but Christ liveth in me. And that I live now in the flesh: I live in the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and delivered himself for me.
3 Let nothing be done through contention, neither by vain glory: but in humility, let each esteem others better than themselves:
24 But I fear none of these things, neither do I count my life more precious than myself, so that I may consummate my course and the ministry of the word which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel 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 no man seek his own, but that which is another's.
4 Charity is patient, is kind: charity envieth not, dealeth not perversely; is not puffed up;5 Is not ambitious, seeketh not her own, is not provoked to anger, thinketh no evil;
18 Let no man deceive himself: if any man among you seem to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise.
2 Let every one of you please his neighbour unto good, to edification.
25 The soul which blesseth, shall be made fat: and he that inebriateth, shall be inebriated also himself.
2 A fool receiveth not the words of prudence: unless thou say those things which are in his heart.
16 For where envying and contention is, there is inconstancy, and every evil work.