“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.  It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away.” 1 Corinthians 13:4-8

This scripture reveals to us what it looks like to love God’s way. Tests are essential in life to measure one’s level of growth. Just as a student needs to write tests to measure their level of understanding; likewise, we will encounter situations or people for the purpose of measuring whether we are truly growing in the love of God.

In light of the scripture above, we should ask ourselves honestly:

Am I patient and kind to people?
Am I envious, boastful, and proud?
Do I dishonor others?
Am I self-seeking?
Am I easily angered?
Do I keep record of wrongs?
Do I rejoice with the truth or delight in evil?
Do I protect? Trust? Hope?
Persevere always?

The answers to these questions reveal where we need God’s help to grow in love.

It’s important to remember that love is a fruit of the Spirit; it’s not something we can manufacture on our own. We cannot love people God’s way in our own ability. Love grows as we yield to the Holy Spirit on a daily basis. It’s His fruit, so we need Him to produce it in our lives.

Lord, help me to yield to you every day in fellowship and communion, so that the fruit of love can be evident and abound in my life. Amen.

By Folasade Oladapo
used by permission

FURTHER READING

A Song of Love –  by Andrew Murray

Love – Devotional on Love by Phil Ware

The Way of Love 1 Corinthians 13

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LOVE, what a beautiful word it is.

We use the word love in all kinds of contexts such as “I love chocolate”, “I love watching football”, “I love going to the beach”.  The love we have for our husbands, wives and families as well as our friends is another use of the word.  For many, exquisite antiques or the incredible architecture of a building brings lavish words of love.  All these things bring the word love to our lips.  But, do we ever stop and consider the true meaning of love – the unconditional love that God has for each one of us.  It is spoken about so often in the bible and yet, I think, so often we simply glance at these words and never stop to think about the true implications.

We know so well the incredible words in 1 Corinthians, Chapter 13:4-8 which are often used in the celebration of marriage, but do we heed them at other times in our lives?

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.
It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.
Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.
It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
Love never fails.

When someone wrongs us do we turn to Proverbs 10:12?  These words speak for themselves.  With so many terrible acts of violence in the world today, this is the word of love that we should be speaking.

Hatred stirs up dissension, but love covers over all wrongs.

There are so many passages speaking of love in the bible and these are just 2, but there is one more I would like to emphasize particularly as we approach the glorious resurrection morning and that is in the First Letter of John, Chapter 4:18-19:

WE LOVE BECAUSE HE FIRST LOVED US.

Prayer: Loving and Compassionate Christ, help us to understand the true meaning of the word Love and so follow your teaching and your example throughout our lives.  Enable us to put your words into action every day, no matter what situation in which we find ourselves. Give us the courage to speak your words of love to all people.  Amen

By Terry Stead
Used by Permission

FURTHER READING

•  I Corinthians 13 ~ What is Love?
•  Our Love Has Stood The Test Of Time

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