Reflections — The Gift Of Love
Love is a verb, an action word. Like a gift, love is something we choose to give, not some warm fuzzy feeling. Feelings change. Love perseveres; love never fails.
Paul’s flagship teaching on love is found in 1 Corinthians 13:4–8a,
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, and it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
Love never fails.
This moving verse adorns countless walls and cards around the world. Let me ask you, does it adorn your heart? Has it made it from your head to your soul?
In truth, I’m asking myself this question. I’m in the midst of a struggle in which I don’t want to live this out. But how can I look at the cross, how can I call Jesus Lord and not love as he did?
In verses 1–3 of this chapter Paul list a litany of noble character traits and altruistic actions; However, despite these, without love, Paul sees himself, and any of us as clanging gongs.
Here’s the kicker, it drives how we forgive. What Jesus has already forgiven me is greater than any wrong done to me.
A Pastor preached on love every Sunday for months. Eventually, a member stood up and asked, “Pastor why do you always preach on love?” “Because you still don’t get it,” answered the pastor.
Unknown
So why am I writing about love again, because I still don’t get it. Do you?
