1 Corinthians 13

“Love is patient, love is kind. Love does not envy, is not boastful, is not conceited, does not act improperly, is not selfish, is not provoked, and does not keep a record of wrongs. Love finds no joy in unrighteousness but rejoices in the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends.”  1 Corinthians 13:4-8a (HCSB)

Whenever my wife and I lead music, we usually sing a song I wrote called “Two Sets of Joneses.”  This song is about two young married couples at the starting line of their lives together.    One couple chooses to build their relationship on the sandy foundation of the world, while the other chooses to build on the solid foundation offered by Jesus.  

Severe difficulty befalls both couples, but only one couple is left standing in the end. Let’s just say while the worldly alternative often looks more attractive at a glance, it cannot endure long-term strain.

One reason is that the world has redefined the term “love.”  In our culture, we use the word “love” in many different contexts. We say we love our moms, but we also love apple pie. We (heart) poodles & unicorns, and we love Jesus? So, really, what is LOVE?

In 1 Corinthians 13, the apostle Paul lays out a picture of love as God designed it.

It is sobering to reflect on what love actually is.    Where Paul states, “Love is…”, I ask, “Am I?” Maybe it will help you to read this passage with that in mind:

Am I patient and kind? Do I envy? Am I boastful or conceited? Do I act improperly? Am I selfish or provoked? Do I keep a record of wrongs and find joy in unrighteousness? Do I rejoice in the truth, bear, believe, hope, and endure all things? Does my love end?

The Bible tells us that people should know that we are Christians by our love for one another. (John 13:35)  How effective are you at loving as Jesus would? Does your testimony compel people to follow Him or repel them from Him?

Let’s live out today’s passage from the perspective of “I will be…”