A Message of Hope: Love is...

Question: Could I convince you that loving others benefits you concerning the way you see and experience God's love?

The Bible talks about the proper way for us to love one another in 1 Corinthians 13:1-10. Love is...

1. Suffereth long (is patient)

2. Is kind

3. Envieth not

4. Vaunteth not itself (does not boast)

5. Is not puffed up (is not proud)

6. Doth not behave itself unseemly (is not rude)

7. Seeketh not her own (is not self-seeking)

8. Is not easily provoked (not easily angered)

9. Thinketh no evil

10. Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in truth (does not delight in evil, but rejoices with the truth)

11. Beareth all things (always protects)

12. Believeth all things-- this is for you own sake and sanity.

13. Hopeth all things

14. Endureth all things

Love is more important than all other spiritual gifts (vv. 2, 3, 8, 9, 10). It is completely impossible to say we love God but hate our brother (1 John 4:20). We ALL must be challenged to do better in this area.

When we look at our world and this generation today... this is not the kind of love we see being exuded. What we usually see exuded today is: lust. I don't mean this in a sexual manner, but in a way that says, "I'll only love you if it 1. fulfills my own desires and 2. if you're deserving of it." The lust we see in our generation today is directed inward toward ourselves-- it's purely selfish.

But love, God's way is the opposite. It is not selfish. It says, "Though I feel you don't deserve it, I'm going to genuinely love you anyway." It is directed outwardly towards others.

We have to get to a point where we are asking the Lord to make us more like Him so that we can love others the way He calls us to and not the way this world calls us to. You see, this world is self-seeking and teaches it's followers to only love, be patient, kind, persevering, etc. only if it benefits you. But no. This indeed is not love but is something that has been motivated from sin. We have to allow for Christ to shed His love, through us, to a dying world. When someone offends you, you must in return love them. Perfect love castes out fear (1 John 4:18).

Studying this challenged me today... Especially in the area of being patient. I believe, however, God wants to teach us something about Him and the way He loves us through the way we love others (according to 1 Corinthians 13) but how can we expect to clearly see the way Christ love us when we don't even try to love others the way He's calling us to. The standard is raised... will you accept it with me?

A question to ponder on: how can you portray mercy through patience to those around you?

Until next time... many, many, blessings to you.

LaGerrica S.