“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 in the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.” -1 Corinthians 13:4-8a
Every Christian knows this passage; but how does it apply when somebody I love hurts me so badly that my gut twists just thinking about them? How am I supposed to love them?
I’ve asked myself that question recently, and I haven’t found the three-step process yet; but I did find 1 Corinthians 13:4-8a, and God answered my questions through these verses in an unexpected way by reminding me some things I hope to never forget again.
He reminded me of where I was when He saved me, and showed me that the principles in this passage are the principles with which He loves me. He reminded me that He is the only one who loves perfectly, and therefore, the only one who can teach me to love. He reminded me that the best way to love somebody is to trust Him with them, then follow the outline He’s given me in my interaction with them.
Simply put, loving people is doing what Jesus did while He lived on this earth; He never compromised the truth, but He never once cut Himself off from the people who didn’t love Him. Love isn’t a noun, it’s a verb, and the biggest demonstration of love was Jesus’ sacrifice to pay our debt. If He loves me that much, I know I can trust Him to teach me to love other people.
Committing to love somebody no matter what is so much more than I can ever do on my own, but I am not alone. I have asked Jesus to lead me on the journey, and His love and patience towards me when I try to take the lead is the biggest example to me of how I am to love everybody around me.
Love isn’t rational or logical. Leaving Heaven’s majesty to live a life on this sin sick planet and pay a debt He didn’t owe wasn’t something He wasn’t obligated to do, and it just doesn’t make any sense. Can the people I love say the same about the way I love?
Jesus, make me more like You!
Proclaiming His Goodness 
Love the new photo, and the reminder to always look to Jesus as our ultimate true example and companion. Well said.
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“…clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive…And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.” (Col.3:12-14) We know we must love our neighbors, our enemies, and the family of God because God’s Word says so. The Spirit can enable us to do that, and to speak the truth with love as well. Obeying this command without any flesh-driven motivation is always the challenge! Thank God for the power of His Holy Spirit which can enable us to do it! Thank God for His forgiveness when we fail! Thank you for your thoughts today. I love your new photo!
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