“Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends.” (rf. I Cor. 13:4-8a ESV)
Our culture wants to describe the word “love” in purely emotional or romantic terms. Phrases like “I fell in love with you” and those exhibiting the same overwhelming drive of passion seem only to solidify that view, especially when portrayed in books and films. Yet, unfortunately, that portrait of “love” shows it to be fleeting, solely based on how one feels at the time, fully dependent on the heightened sense of amour at that moment.
True “love”, at least in the Biblical use of the term, is not in any way connected with the fluctuations of human emotions and feelings. It is rather a conscious, willful decision to “love” the another person in a relational, self-sacrificing fashion. Scriptural “love” always operates contrary to normal human behavior (though we like to think otherwise about ourselves).
Notice the Apostle Paul in writing to the Corinthian Christians shares the following qualities about true “love”. These attributes of “love” are not things that we readily nor easily exhibit but are actions that are supernaturally energized and originated.
1. Love exhibits itself in being “patient” and shows itself in kindness.
2. Love allows no place for pride, self-centeredness, selfishness or ambition; it discloses itself in humility (i.e. “does not envy or boast…is not arrogant or rude…does not insist on its own way”).
3. Love always treats others with respect and generosity (i.e. “it is not irritable or resentful”).
4. Love does not vaunt itself over the misdoings or mistakes of those around, building up itself at the expense of others, but instead upholds, supports and “rejoices with the truth”.
5. Love purposefully chooses to remain secured despite the circumstances in which it is placed, holding on long after whatever it faces (i.e. “Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends…”).
If we are to “love” as the Bible teaches, then we must tap into the very Source of “love”, God Himself (rf. I Jn. 4:16). He alone provides us the wherewithal to be able to “love” as He loves. True “love” is beyond both our own comprehension and natural ability to accomplish.
Thus, if we have a relationship with God (Who is love) through Jesus Christ, His Son, then we are capable of engaging in Biblical “love” with others. If that relationship with God is not in place, there is no possible way we can “love” others as the term is meant to be used. Our best efforts will always fall short of His high standard.
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