“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.  Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.  It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.  Love never fails.”

~1 Corinthians 13:4-8 (NIV)

This last weekend I had the privilege to attend my best friend’s wedding.  The wedding was beautiful and during it the pastor gave a great challenge on love.  The command to love has been given to each one of us and we are to carry it out in our lives every day.  Weddings are a great time to be reminded of the love that exists between two people, but it’s also a time to be reminded that we are to speak love through our actions and our words to everyone we come contact with.  Let’s go through the passage above and see how love is being exemplified in our lives!

Love is patient!

Are you patient when you wait in line at the grocery store?  Are you patient when you wait in traffic?  Do you display patience with those who have yet to come where you are in their growth with Christ?

Love is kind!

Are you kind with your words?  Have your actions shown God’s loving-kindness today?

Love does not envy!

God has given each of us so much and we should not envy each other.  We are called to love one another as Christ has loved us.  There is no need to wish for something that someone else has.  God knows what you need and He will supply all your needs according to His will.  He knows what we can handle and how we will serve Him best.  Live for Him alone!

Love does not boast!

God has called us to love others and lift them up.  He has not called us to lift ourselves up.  Jesus Himself came to lift God up and make sure all glory was given to His Father.

So Jesus said, “When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am the one I claim to be and that I do nothing on my own but speak just what the Father has taught me.” ~John 8:28 (NIV)

Love is not proud!

Love does not go around saying, “I’m the best”, “Look at what I have done”, “Aren’t I amazing?”, etc.  Love continues to point back to God and says, “Look at God, isn’t He amazing!  It’s because He loves me that I can love others!”

Love is not rude!

Love is not rude and it does not push others out of the way.  Love puts others first and let’s them know that they can succeed in God.

Love is not self-seeking!

Love does not seek to promote oneself.  Love seeks to promote God’s purpose!

Love is not easily angered!

God does not want us to be easily angered!  He wants us to control our feelings and love those who offend us!

Love keeps no record of wrongs!

Have you been keeping score on someone who has hurt you?  It’s time to let go.  God is not keeping score when it comes to your sin.  Why would you keep score of the sins of anyone who has wronged you…when you have wronged God far worse?

Love does not delight in evil!

God calls us to live righteously and forsake anything that would lead us astray from Him.

Love rejoices with the truth!

Rejoice in the Truth found in God’s Word!  Continue to seek God and know the love that is found in only Him!

Love protects!

Will you protect others with God’s love?

Love always trusts!

Will you trust God, knowing that His love is greater than all things?

Love always hopes!

Place your hope in the Lord and know that He will come through for you.  His love will never fail you!

Love always perseveres!

God’s love will help you persevere through any trial you may face!

Love NEVER fails!

God’s love never fails.  Will your love be the kind of love that never fails?

Dear Father God, Your love is all of the things that are mentioned in 1 Corinthians.  I can only pray that my love will be the same.  Please help me to love people in a way that is kind, that is patient, that is true, that is unfailing, and all the things above.  May I be Your love extended to all those I know and continue to meet!

Loving People to Jesus,
Sarah