The Behavior of Royalty
1 Samuel 10:24-25 (NKJV) And Samuel said to all the people, “Do you see him whom the Lord has chosen, that there is no one like him among all the people?” So all the people shouted and said, “Long live the king!” 25 Then Samuel explained to the people the behavior of royalty, and wrote it in a book and laid it up before the Lord…
The Bible says…
The Lord is King forever and ever (Ps. 10:16)
And the King of glory shall come in (Ps. 24:7)
For God is my King (Ps. 74:12)
Eternal King (1 Tim. 1:17)
The King of kings, the Lord of lords (1 Tim. 6:15)
James 2:8 (NKJV) If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself”…
"Love God, love people, love yourself, and receive love from all three."
Matthew 22:37-38 (NKJV) Jesus said to them, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all of your mind.” 38 ‘This is the first and great commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your NEIGHBOR as yourself.”
Luke 10:36-37 (NASB) “Which of these three do you think proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell into the robbers’ hands?” 37 And he said, “The one who showed mercy toward him.” Then Jesus said to him, “Go and do the same.”
Who is our neighbor?
James 2:8-9 (NKJV) If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scriptures, "You shall love your NEIGHBOR as yourself," you do well; 9 but if you show partiality, you commit sin..."
Show partiality — “making a distinction among people based on their rank or influence."
Agape love…
Doesn't love the right and not love the wrong.
Doesn't consider the earthly value of a person before it decides to love.
Always seeks the highest good for everyone.
Freely gives and doesn’t ask or expect anything in return.
Shows no partiality.
Matthew 5:43-48 (NLT) “You have heard the law that says, ‘Love your neighbor’ and hate your enemy. 44 But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! 45 In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven. For he gives his sunlight to both the evil and the good, and he sends rain on the just and the unjust alike. 46 If you love only those who love you, what reward is there for that? Even corrupt tax collectors do that much. 47 If you are kind only to your friends, how are you different from anyone else? Even pagans do that. 48 But you are to be perfect [growing into spiritual maturity both in mind and character, actively integrating godly values into your daily life], even as your Father in heaven is perfect.
Luke 6:31-33 (NLT) Do to others as you would like them to do to you. 32 If you love only those who love you, why should you get credit for that? Even sinners love those who love them! 33 And if you do good only to those who do good to you, why should you get credit? Even sinners do that much!
What would happen if we began to consistently walk in the behavior of royalty?