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 [unto him] with his disciples, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself and take up his stake and follow me.
31 And the second [is] like it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is no other commandment greater than these.
20 I am crucified with Christ; nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ lives in me, and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
3 [Let] nothing [be done] through strife or vainglory, but in humility let each esteem others better than themselves,
24 But none of these things move me, neither do I count my life dear unto myself, only that I might finish my course with joy and the ministry, which I have received of 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 one seek his own good, but that of the other.
4 Charity suffers long [and] is benign; charity envies not; charity does [nothing] without due reason, is not puffed up,5 is not injurious, seeks not her own, is not easily provoked, thinks no evil,
18 Let no one deceive themself. If any one among you seems to be wise in this age, let them become a fool that they may be wise.
2 Let each one of us please [his] neighbour in [that which is] good, unto edification.
25 The soul who is a blessing [unto others] shall be made fat, and he that fills shall be filled also himself.
2 A fool has no delight in understanding, but in that which his own heart discovers.
36 Incline my heart unto thy testimonies and not to covetousness.
16 For where there is envy and contention, there [is] confusion and every perverse work.