Drop Fifteen

1 Corinthians 13:4 – 7 

Love is patient, love is kind and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant, does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered, does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. (NASB1995) 

I don’t know about you, but I am more familiar with the beginning and the end of this segment of the chapter, but not so much the important information in the middle. To better understand what love is, God (through the apostle Paul) compares what love is and what love is not. We have all met people that are kind for self-seeking reasons (sometimes, they are the reflection we see in the mirror). If we truly love one another, we must rise above the tendencies towards unloving behavior as described in the verses above. Walk the walk, not just talk the talk. Reality – we truly cannot do this in our own strength. We must love through the power of the Holy Spirit. 

Heavenly Father,  

Thank You for loving us, even when we see ourselves as unlovable. You know our needs and provide for them before we are even aware. Cultivate a loving spirit within each of us. Remind us to love through Your power by listening and trusting the counsel of the Holy Spirit. Thank You for forgiving us. Help us to extend forgiveness to others. 

In Jesus Name, 

AMEN