1 Corinthians 13:1-8
If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.
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.
Unfortunately, I’ve always attached this passage to weddings. In fact, I’m sure it was read at my own wedding. Obviously, it applies to marriage, but this is the nuts and bolts of who God is and how we’re supposed to live! 1 John 4 says that God is love, and that anybody who claims to be in God must love. In fact, it goes so far as to say that if we don’t love others, then we’re liars and aren’t of God! Pretty strong stuff there.
Anyway, when I read this, I think, “uh oh!” Just ask Janna about my mastery of this, and you’ll soon find out that I’m not all that patient, humble, others-oriented, forgiving, trusting, etc. It’s a hot mess up in here.
I tend to be easily overwhelmed by my lack of “spiritual progress” – especially when I read passages like this. I feel like I’m consistently fighting the same stuff, and that I’ll never “master” all the stuff to be a “good Christian.” Sorry for all the “quotes.”
Sunder Krishnan gently and wisely said this, “One aspect of love practiced is better than intellectual mastery of the whole topic.”
Here’s a challenge for you (and me) today:
- Think of 2 people in your life that you have close interaction with consistently – somebody you’re very close to (spouse, BFF, etc.), and somebody really challenging.
- Ask yourself which description of love pricks at your heart the most when you consider these relationships (patient, kind, non-envious, etc.).
- Pray for these people, and ask the Lord to show you ways you can focus on and practice one of these aspects of love toward these 2 individuals.
- At the end of the day, write your reflections. What was hard/easy? How did they respond? What do you feel about it? Why? What is God saying to you?
May we be changed by Jesus’ love toward us today, and may that compel us to love others like Jesus has loved us.