As the biggest Hallmark holiday comes to an end, let’s talk about this feeling, this concept, and this noun called LOVE . One of the most popular, most quoted verses is 1 Corinthians 13:4-8. We hear it all the time: in weddings, movies, love stories ETC. But let’s take this verse and apply it to ourselves. As disciples we are to not only love God but love people. Below you will find the verse, only this time replace Love with your name and analyze yourself. “YOUR NAME is patient, YOUR NAME is kind. YOUR NAME does not envy, YOUR NAME does not boast, YOUR NAME is not proud. YOUR NAME is not rude, YOUR NAME is not self- seeking, YOUR NAME is not easily angered, YOUR NAME keeps not record of wrongs. YOUR NAME does not delight in evil, but rejoices with the truth. YOUR NAME always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. YOUR NAME never fails” (1 Corinthians 13:4-8a, NIV). Who can possibly measure up to this standard of loving others? Isn’t it hard? How can we possibly LOVE like this? The answer is simple. Re-read the passage again. However, this time, substitute the Name of Jesus for “love” or the pronoun “it,” as it refers to “love.” “JESUS is patient, JESUS is kind. JESUS does not envy, JESUS does not boast, JESUS is not proud. JESUS is not rude, JESUS is not self-seeking, JESUS is not easily angered, JESUS keeps not record of wrongs. JESUS does not delight in evil, but rejoices with the truth. JESUS always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. JESUS never fails” (1 Corinthians 13:4-8a, NIV). What peace we can know, when we realize that He loves this way! The Apostle John clearly explained how we may respond to this great love: “We love because He first loved us” (1 John 4:19)
Posted on: Tue, 30 Dec 2014 22:22:15 +0000
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