Scripture:
1 Corinthians 13:4-7 – Love is patient and Kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things and endures all things.
Observation:
Paul is sharing with the Corinthian church what love from God looks like versus what is has become in the Corinthian church. People have become more concerned about their gifts and recognition than where they got them and to use them to glorify God. When we let pride in, no believer or church is beyond this. This just highlights our need for redemption and to respond to the love Christ showed for us on the cross.
Application:
To love as God loves, I must love with the fruit of Spirit patiently and kindly. It’s not about what I’ve done but what He has done for me. I know God was and is patient and kind to me as I took a long time to receive His grace and love. It is really hard for me to love someone in true Christian love if I am wanting to prove a point to be right, am grumbling about something or glad somebody got what they deserved. I have to love in response to the grace given to me by the Father through Christ. Truth and love go hand in hand and I have to carry love in one hand and truth in the other. No matter what I do it has to be done in love as love endures everything.
Prayer:
Father,
Thank you for the love and grace you have given me through Christ. Let me respond to your love by loving others unconditionally and sacrificially rather than out of my own selfish desire. Help me to share your love and truth to give the glory to you.