According to 1 Corinthians 13 love
is irreplaceable (vv. 1-3), love is essential (vv. 4-7), love is durable (vv.
8-12), and love is the priority (v. 13). These are at least some of the lessons
we learn from Paul’s wise words about love. And by the way, this is not the
“like” kind of love or the “romantic” kind of love or the “bro” or “sista” kind
of love – no, this love is the never-ending, not throwing in the towel, no exit
strategy, divine type of love. You know, the love that will not let me go! I
want us to think about the essential nature of this love from verses 4-7. Love
is…
- patient,
- kind,
- is not envious,
- does not boast,
- is not arrogant,
- is not rude,
- does not insist on its own way,
- is not irritable,
- is not resentful,
- does not rejoice when someone does wrong,
- rejoices when someone does right,
- it bears everything,
- it believes everything,
- it hopes everything,
- it endures everything
Wow! Ouch!! And, AMEN! These are
the expressions of love for which we long, and they are our “love target.” When
we tell someone we love them this is what we should mean. Too often we see love
last only as long as the good times roll, and sometimes those good times roll for
only months or a few short years. Think about how these principles of love
would revolutionize marriages, families and friendships if we put them into
practice. How about our church? Yes, sometimes people don’t get along in the church.
For one reason or another we may even find ourselves worshipping with a
so-called “enemy.” They are on the other side of the building or they are in
another Sunday school group, and we’re just fine with that. We avoid them at
all costs. But honestly, is that love? Can we look through the list above and
sincerely conclude that we are showing them love?
Jesus said,
“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I
have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know
that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John
13:34-35)
We are not always going to see
eye-to-eye, we are not always going to agree, we are not always going to get
along, and we are going to have differences of opinion. But that is okay, and
should never be a reason to stop loving one another. Look at the list above and
ask yourself, “How am I expressing this type of love to the people who surround
me?”
Grace & Peace,
Scott
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