“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 with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails” (1 Corinthian 13: 4-8 NIV)
God defines love for me.
The Bible, to me, is a collection of love stories. When I read through the pages, I look for love. God’s love is always present. People struggle with the stories of the Old Testament, more violence and rape exists in its pages than any movie screen. The New Testament’s brutality is just as bad. Crucifixion is a horrible way to die. The person can’t breathe normally and dies from asphyxiation, lack of oxygen to the blood cells. Yet in the midst of a horrible death we find the greatest act of love for us.
Love is action.
Jesus’ death on the cross was an action of love. He sacrificed His life because of His love for us. And He did it willingly to enable a relationship with God we can have no other way. Jesus’ act exemplified the words in today’s verses.
Patient. Kind. Not Envious. Humble. Honoring. Selfless. Forgiving. Truthful. Protecting. Trustworthy. Hopeful. Perseveres. Never fails.
Putting someone else before yourself is an act of love.
My husband plans out his last bite at every meal. He saves his favorite food for the final fork load. I didn’t learn this until years into our marriage. One random conversation with a friend revealed this to me. Worst yet, for years, I had taken his last bite, not realizing it. He never said a word. His act of not telling me was love. Now that I am aware he does this with every meal, my not taking his last bite is an act of love back to him. Love in action.
God’s love for us is unconditional, that means no limits to it. Whatever you think you’ve done that is unworthy of God’s love, you are wrong.
John Newton wrote Amazing Grace. Before he started following Jesus, he was a slave trader. For years, he witnessed the brutality of slavery, and condoned it. Not until he met Jesus did he realize what he was doing. He quit and became a minister. And he wrote these words:
Amazing grace! How Sweet the sound,
That saved a wretch like me!
I once was lost, but now am found,
Was blind, but now I see.
‘Twas grace that taught my heart to fear,
And grace my fears relieved;
How precious did that grace appear
The hour I first believed!
God’s love is unconditional. Lavish in His love today.
Question of the Day:
How does God’s love define love for you?
Further Reading: Esther 8:1-10:3 NIV, 1 Corinthians 12:27-13:13 NIV, Psalm 37:1-11 NIV, Proverbs 21:23-24 NIV
