And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not love, I am nothing.
(1Cor 13:2) Powerful, isn't it? If we have not love, we are nothing.
In the grand scheme of things, it really is true: LOVE is all that matters.
If that's the case, it's imperative that we are able to recognize love...
and give it.
Because feelings by any other name is just not the same - not "like", not infatuation, not lust, not desire, not admiration, not adoration...
none of it is the same as love.
So what is love? Love is patient.
If we truly love someone, then we learn to be patient with them.
Remember, the Bible tells us that the testing of your faith produces patience.
Sometimes those we love test our faith! But if we are in Christ, then we should show forth the fruit of the Spirit - and one of those fruit is patience.
Love waits for change and transformation.
Love doesn't push, force or coerce.
It's not volatile and it doesn't over-react.
It waits...
Love is kind.
It's friendly and considerate.
When we love, we, like Jesus, "esteem others as better than ourselves".
(Phil2:3) We go out of our way to meet their needs and concern ourselves with their well-being.
Kindness is also a fruit of the Spirit - it should flow from us naturally if we are filled with the Spirit of God! Love celebrates.
It doesn't envy.
When we love, we should celebrate the successes, gifts, blessings of others.
We should be supportive and congratulatory - always looking for reasons to uplift and encourage.
When we love, we understand that we each have been given gifts and is blessed in our own way - and each of us is valuable to God and to the Body of Christ! There is no need for envy because God doesn't have favorites.
He loves us all and gives freely to us all! Love is humble.
It's not proud and so therefore does not boast.
It's not "puffed up"! True love has a quiet, humble spirit.
When we love, we love from a spiritual position of servitude.
It's not about "I" or "me" - what I want, what I think, what I do - it's about others and our willingness to serve them.
Jesus washed the feet of those He loved as a sign of humility and servitude.
Love is polite.
It's not rude or vulgar.
The way we treat others and communicate with others, should demonstrate our love for them (and our love for the Christ in them!).
Love shows gratitude and graciousness - it says "please" and "thank you" and "excuse me" and "I'm sorry".
Love steers clear of corrupt communication.
Always remember, how you respond matters.
Choose your words wisely! Love is giving.
It's not at all selfish.
You have to give of yourself - of your time, your resources, your affection, your talents! Love thinks first of the other person.
God loved us so much that He gave His only begotten Son.
Generosity and sacrifice are by-products of life! Love is peaceful.
It's calm - not easily angered or provoked.
When we love, we lead with the peace of God.
Gentleness is a fruit of the Spirit! That's not to say you won't get angry, but it's not naturally a part of your character.
It's not ever-present and it's not easily provoked within you.
Love is peaceful! It should calm and soothe.
Love forgives.
It keeps no record of wrongs.
Love doesn't have a memory - in fact, it actively erases memories of wrong doing.
Just as Jesus forgives, so should we.
Not only should we forgive, but we should not judge and condemn.
Love does the exact opposite - it accepts in spite of faults, and it's patient enough to allow both ourselves and others to work on change.
Love is righteous.
It does not delight in evil or sin but rejoices in truth.
Love doesn't allow others to dwell in sin and live unrighteously.
Love supports and encourages, uplifts and corrects.
"Tough love" is a great term - love has to be honest and honesty can sometimes be temporarily hurtful, but, "lie not to one another...
" (Col3:9) It will be OK in the end, love never fails.
Love protects.
We should go above and beyond to keep those we love out of harm's away.
When we love, we cover our loved ones in prayer - especially our children and spouses, but even those we don't know.
They, too, are our brothers and sisters in Christ.
Love trusts.
Love believes God! When we truly love others, we can give them over to God and trust His sovereignty.
We don't have to lead with fear or doubt.
We can trust God's provision, protection and power in every situation.
You truly can delight yourself in the Lord and commit your way to Him and trust that He will bring whatever it is you desire to pass.
Perfect love casts out fear! Love hopes.
When we love, we never lose sight of the possibilities! Love allows us to be positive and truly believe that all things are possible through Christ.
With love, it's not a matter of "if" but, "when".
There's always hope in love! Love perseveres.
True love doesn't allow us to quit - it's persistent and full of faith.
When it seems like "it won't work" or "it's impossible", love stays committed and keeps moving forward.
It endures until the end.
Love never gives up! Love never fails.
It's the one thing we can always count on.
Love never fails.
Everything else may die and fall away, but love lasts forever.
There are no conditions which can make it null and void.
There is nothing which can break its strength.
It covers a multitude of sins and it breaks every yoke.
It cannot fail.
So, now can you recognize love? Can you give it? This passage in 1Cor 13 should be our measuring stick - it should help us to determine whether we are truly loving those in our lives and whether or not they are truly loving us.
It should serve as a tool to help us align ourselves and our relationships with the Word of God.
The better able we are to do that, the better the quality of our lives and our relationships will be.
Has it registered to you that all of the descriptors above describe how God treats you? That should come as no surprise...
God is Love and whoever lives in love, lives in God and God in him.
(1Jn4:16)