◘. What Love is. ◘
(source: http://www.examiner.com/article/how-to-walk-love)
"Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have faith, so that I could move mountains, but not love, I am nothing. And though I bestow my goods to feed the poor, and though I leave my body to be burned but have not love, it profits me nothing.'
- 1 Corth. 13: 1-3 (NKJV)
This is one of the most popular chapters in the bible because it debunks many theories on what makes a good Christian. This passage make it clear that neither the ability to preach nor the eloquence of delivery, an in-depth knowledge of theology nor the working of phenomenal miracles, amount to anything without the genuine expression of the God kind of love.
You may have heard the popular saying, 'It is impossible to love without giving, but it is possible to give without loving'. The question then is, 'What motivates your acts of charity?'. A desire to help or a desire to be recognized? If you don't get a thank you, will you regret making that donation? Is an opportunity to preach a chance to spread the good news or a chance to show off your oratory skills?
As a tree is identified by its fruit, so also are Christians identified by their character not their activities. Galatians refers to it as the 'Fruits of the Spirit'. "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self control. Against such there is no law." Gal. 5: 22-23(NKJV). If people cannot readily describe you using any of the above, you have some work to do.
Fortunately, 1 Corth. 13 doesn't just leave us hanging after saying what love is not...It gives some excellent examples of what love is. The Message translation puts it very nicely.
So love isn't just smiling, hugging and mouthing 'I love Yous' every Sunday (though that is certainly part of it.) It's all of the above and even more. How much more meaningful would your acts of charity be if they were fueled by the attitude prescribed above? The conclusion is a promise: LOVE NEVER FAILS. Walking in love is the only thing that guarantees 100% success in your endeavors. Go ahead and try it out at home, school, work or play (even the ones that made you scratch your head or roll your eyes!) You will be pleasantly surprised by the results.
You may have heard the popular saying, 'It is impossible to love without giving, but it is possible to give without loving'. The question then is, 'What motivates your acts of charity?'. A desire to help or a desire to be recognized? If you don't get a thank you, will you regret making that donation? Is an opportunity to preach a chance to spread the good news or a chance to show off your oratory skills?
As a tree is identified by its fruit, so also are Christians identified by their character not their activities. Galatians refers to it as the 'Fruits of the Spirit'. "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self control. Against such there is no law." Gal. 5: 22-23(NKJV). If people cannot readily describe you using any of the above, you have some work to do.
Fortunately, 1 Corth. 13 doesn't just leave us hanging after saying what love is not...It gives some excellent examples of what love is. The Message translation puts it very nicely.
"Love never gives up
Love cares more for others than for self
Love does not want what it doesn't have
Love doesn't strut
Doesn't have a swelled head
Doesn't force itself on others
Isn't always 'Me First'
Doesn't fly off the handle
Doesn't keep score of the sins of others
Doesn't revel when others grovel
Takes pleasure in the flowering of truth
Puts up with anything
Trusts God always
Always looks for the best,
Never looks back
But keeps going to the end
Love Never Fails"
(1 Corth 13:4-8)
So love isn't just smiling, hugging and mouthing 'I love Yous' every Sunday (though that is certainly part of it.) It's all of the above and even more. How much more meaningful would your acts of charity be if they were fueled by the attitude prescribed above? The conclusion is a promise: LOVE NEVER FAILS. Walking in love is the only thing that guarantees 100% success in your endeavors. Go ahead and try it out at home, school, work or play (even the ones that made you scratch your head or roll your eyes!) You will be pleasantly surprised by the results.
Let's Pray: Dear Heavenly Father, help us to walk in love. Please be my guidance in accomplishing this goal. God, please plant love in my heart. Thank you for the blessings. Thank you for loving me until now. Thank you for your love and thank you for the mercy and grace. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.
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