Love Week: Like This
"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." (1 Corinthians 13:4-5)
We continue our love/hate relationship with Valentine's Week by diving into some real love talk from God's Word. And you might have guessed we'd swing by these verses.
Their point is that love is not a feeling or idea or genre. It's a hard thing with edges and rules and definitions -- at least when the Bible talks about it. That word love means something much bigger here than it does on a cheap Valentine's card with a chalky piece of candy glued to it.
If that thing you're saying you feel for someone doesn't come with patience, kindness, and a refusal to envy, brag, be rude, serve yourself first, get angry quickly, and keep track of who did more wrong to whom -- then it ain't love. (Yes, I said "ain't," but I resisted saying, "baby.")
Much bigger: This is the way God loves us on the days we are least lovable, least obedient, least attractive. Because His love -- real love -- isn't earned. It's given.
Think: Do you think it's valid to say we love someone if we don't mostly treat them as these verses describe? Do you have a hard time believing that God loves you -- every day -- with the kind of love pictured in these verses?
Pray: Thank God for love that is never envious, boastful, proud, rude, self-seeking, easily angered, or tracking wrongs. Ask Him to help you to love others that way.
Do: Write down two names -- the person who treats you most like these verses describe and the person you treat most this way.
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