Love
I’ve been processing this one a lot since Sunday’s message, but man I have managed to mess it up a lot this week!
I Corinthians 13:3-7 (The Message)
If I give everything I own to the poor and even go to the stake to be burned as a martyr, but I don’t love, I’ve gotten nowhere. So, no matter what I say, what I believe, and what I do, I’m bankrupt without love.
Love never gives up. Love cares more for others than for self.
Love doesn’t 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.
There is so much I need to hear, comprehend, learn, apply, do from this passage, but I think the phrase that stands out to me the most right now is “Love never gives up”.
Which portion of this scripture speaks to you today?
Umm…all of it. Hmm…I don’t love well but then again I knew that. That’s what God must want me to work on since it’s been coming at me from all over.
Awesome. That passage is one of those that I have to stop and let it sink in. I’ve heard it so many times but have to slow down enough to let it really soak into my heart.
I actually wrote about this, “Doesn’t keep score of the sins of others, doesn’t revel when others grovel”, in my prayer journal this week. I’m being challenged to MOURN when others (my ‘enemies’ included) are upset and rejoice with those who hurt me when they are blessed.
Oy. It’s a hard one to work on. 🙂
@Lisa – I’m with you… I can recite this passage backwards and forwards but when I really stop to read it and soak it in it always reveals something new for me. That’s why I liked The Message version this time… fresh wording that helped me look at it new.
‘puts up with anything’…really?
This is where my struggle begins. My patience and tolerance with people, circumstances, etc. often reveal the very shallow depths of my love for others.
I think this is one of the most glossed over and under appreciated scriptures in the bible. Good post.
I think it is the line “[love] trusts God always” – i get really impatient these days and find myself worrying to the point of taking action for myself. I know God CAN use that, but i just hope that the more i learn from being in a relationship with him, the more patience i have for HIS timing and HIS will. I find myself trusting very little when big things come into play.
doesn’t want what it does not have. ouch.
I am with Ash on this one…..Love doesn’t want what it does not have. In such tight financial times…….I am really struggling with this one.
Very convicting. There are times when I think I am so good at loving others – but it is petty and certainly doesn’t pass God’s test for what love looks like.
@Jonathan – I’m with you… “puts up with anything”… I’m definitely not good at that!
@Sarah – my “miss independent” nature wrestles with this one too
@Ash & @Ladybird – yeah, I’m with ya!
Ok, well I guess all of them hit me between the eyes! Ugh!
This speaks to me today:
Doesn’t keep score of the sins of others, doesn’t revel when others grovel.
This is one of my favorite Bible passages, but hearing it today is convicting…totally convicting.
cares more for others than for self. gees!
“Trusts God always, always looks for the best.”
this one. for sure. i can be cynical at times.