So This is Love

1 Corinthians 13:4-7

John 13:35  “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

    Yesterday we talked about the Fruit of the Spirit, today let’s start looking at the various portions of the fruit so we can have a better understanding of how they will look in our lives.

    We hear a lot about love in the world.  Unfortunately most of what is called love today isn’t what God listed as love through Paul’s letter to the Corinthians.  Love in our world is generally thought of as warm fuzzies, open acceptance and sexual affections but God has a different set of standards for love.  Let’s look at a few of them.

    First listed is patience.  Love in its purest form suffers long.  It doesn’t get frustrated quickly.  Don’t we all wish people were like that with us?  But how are we that way with them?  Do those around us think of us as patient?  Secondly, we see that love is kind.  Oh how we love when people are kind to us.  It makes us feel good, doesn’t it?  Do you suppose that they like it when we are kind to them too?

    Love isn’t jealous.  This is the opposite of what the world says love is, isn’t it?  Often jealousy stems from an insecurity, fear or sense of possession that feels threatened.  That doesn’t sound very loving.  Love are also not boastful or proud.  We know that these can destroy relationships and so we know, at least on the most basic level, that they cannot represent love.  Love is not rude.  That seems like a given doesn’t it?  But how many of us find ourselves being rude, even with strangers, during a stressed day?  Is it OK to use the excuse that we are tired or having a bad day or even that we are just hungry?  Do those excuses make rudeness justifiable?  Do any excuses allow us to go against the way God says we should love?

    We are only about halfway through this list about love and already we can see how attitudes in our life show if we are worshiping God or self.  Oh how patient He is with us, His kindness is showered upon us continuously.  He has nothing to be jealous of about us because He is complete and doesn’t fear losing us.  God doesn’t boast or suffer from pride and He is never rude.  How He fulfills loving us, even in this small portion of the list, makes Him worthy of all of our worship.

Making It Personal

    Do you find any of these attitudes of love difficult to live out?  Which of these attributes amazes you most about God?  Have you praised Him for it lately?

Making It Personal Kids

    What does it mean to be rude?  What does it mean to be kind?  Which one is easier?  Which one does God want you to be?

Closing Prayer

    Father, thank You for giving us a list to see Your style of love.  Help us live it as You would have us do so that we can reflect You and bring You glory.  We worship You, Father.  In Jesus’ name, amen.