Scripture:
1 Corinthians 13:4-8 (NIV)
1 Corinthians 13:4-8 (NIV)
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.
Devotional:
What is love? Often
times we think of love as being just an emotion. Couples become infatuated with one
another. They “feel” love toward each
other, soon a friendship and possibly a romance blossoms. The problem is that this so called love doesn’t
last. After going through the
“honeymoon” stage people think that they “fall” out of love. They no longer love one another. Soon after the relationship fades and ends.
How does a relationship last? What does it mean to “really” love
someone? We read 1 Corinthians and we
are given several virtues of love. A
true and pure example of love is God’s love for us. He came to earth as human; Jesus Christ was
born and lived a sinless life. Jesus
showed us and taught us about God and the kingdom of heaven. He ultimately suffered and died for our
sins. Through Him we have a means to
enter the kingdom of heaven. Jesus’ love
is selfless. He gave everything just so
that we can be with Him.
Love does not look to itself. Love does nothing to harm or hurt someone
else. A relationship that is built upon
the foundations of love will survive and even thrive past the “honeymoon”
stage. When you really love someone you
will put them before yourself, look how Jesus treated people around Him. When you really love someone you will uplift them
and not strike out against them. When
you love someone you will care and nurture them. Loving someone means you think of them first,
what are their needs and wants. By spending
more energy and effort in these things your relationship will only grow
stronger. It is not easy. There are times when we will fail. But if all members of the relationship truly
strive for these things then forgiveness, compassion, and mercy are there when
needed. The relationship will grow and
become strong. Is your relationship with
Jesus in the “honeymoon” stage? Have you
moved beyond it into a meaningful relationship with Christ? What about your friends and family? Are you self seeking or looking to others
first? Your priorities will help show
what you think love is. Are your
priorities inward or outward? Ask God to
show you His love and help you to love others as He loves you…
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