1 Corinthians 13
1 If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 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 have not love, I am nothing. 3 If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing. 4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. 8 Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. 9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part, 10 but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears. 11When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. 12 Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror;then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.13 And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.
This passage is probably one of the most commonly used chapters from the Bible to describe love. Love possesses all of the qualities written in this passage. For God so loved the whole world including murderers, rapists, gossipers, thieves, homosexuals, heterosexuals, Caucasian, African American, homeless, imprisoned, ill, rich, poor, and all others. Why? Because He created them. He didn't 'mess up' on any one person and every person was created in His image and His love for us has no conditions. He loved me... ME... when I was covered in filth and not willing to seek Him. When I spat in His face by being intentionally disobedient. He sent His Son to die for ME knowing that I was a dirty sinner.
My heart was recently stirred by a conversation pertaining to love and it caused me to check myself. As a follower of Christ do I truly strive to love as Christ loves? Do I study scripture and ask God to show me how to love? When I think about my relationships and read through this passage I realize, I do not always love the way that Christ describes love. Love keeps no record of wrong, is slow to anger, is not self-seeking, is patient, and is not rude. God says, "Love your enemies." Do I really love my enemies?
With Easter approaching I cannot help but think about the ultimate love sacrifice. A day that has been obscured by cute little bunnies and colorful eggs. An event that was full of sadness but at the same time was the turning point for the entire world. It only happened because of the deep, unconditional love from the Father. He sacrificed His perfect and blameless Son, Jesus, so that I may have eternal life. And Jesus, knowing the excruciating pain He would feel, willingly went because of His love for me. What a beautiful picture of love.
Be Love.
~Jess
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