The Greatest Is Love (1 Corinthians 13:8-13)

Today's scripture: 1 Corinthians 13:8-13

Love is the only thing that will endure. Love for God. Love for others. Anything else we do on earth will “be done away” and “cease.” All spiritual gifts that God has given us to build His kingdom will also cease. Because when we stand face-to-face with our Father, we will have fulfilled His purpose on earth, and prayerfully, we’ll hear, “Well done, good and faithful servant.”

And while we may understand some of God’s purpose and will while we’re here, one day, we will “know fully just as [we] have been fully known.” The mirror into which we now see dimly will be clear.

So while we’re on earth, we need to love as Jesus loves. With patience, kindness, mercy, and grace. We need to love our brothers and sisters in Christ. We need to love unbelievers and show them the love of Christ. And we need to love our God—Father, Son, and Spirit—heart, soul, mind, and strength.

For, indeed, the greatest of all things is love.

Love Endures All Things (1 Corinthians 13:7)

Today's scripture: 1 Corinthians 13:7

Love endures all things.

For the last 14 days, we’ve looked at different attributes of love as described by the apostle Paul. This last attribute reminds me that true loving relationships are marathons, not sprints. They’re enduring, long-lasting, strong. This is especially true—or should be—in marriage.

Our world would tell us that love is all passion, and when the passion dies, so does love. Passion is a sprint. And it does ebb and flow. So if your focus is on passion, you’ll hit the finish line and then think it’s all over. Thus the tragic divorce statistics we see.

Love is so much more than passion. Love is intimacy—emotional, spiritual, and physical. It's being there for your mate. It's loving him or her with patience, kindness, without arrogance ... All those things we've been talking about.

Yes, Russ and I have been married 27 years, and believe me, there have been times when passion has stagnated. There have even been times when I really didn’t like what Russ did—and wondered “Who are you and what are you doing in my house?” It was during those times when I chose to love him.

Russ is my best friend. He’s the one who knows me inside and out—and loves me anyway. He’s the one who puts up with my bad moods (yes, I do have them occasionally!), who supports my passion for ministry, who cooks yummy meals, and whom I know will be there for me no matter what.

Our love has endured. If you’re married, please don’t listen to the world’s lies. The grass really isn’t greener on the other side. It’s probably just Astroturf—a facsimile of the real thing. And if you aren't married yet, but hope to be some day, remember these words. Remember to focus on the marathon, not the sprint

Choose to love your mate. Love, honor, and cherish, even through the difficult times, even through those times when your mate just isn’t lovable.

Run the race. Finish the marathon.

Endure.

Love Hopes All Things (1 Corinthians 13:7)

Today's scripture: 1 Corinthians 13:7

Love hopes all things.

Hope is one of my favorite words. Hope. Anticipation.

I especially like Webster’s definition: to “cherish a desire with anticipation” or to “expect with confidence.”

When we love with hope, we anticipate good things from and with the ones we love. We have confidence in their love for us. We hope for a bright future.

Russ and I have been together for over 30 years, and just celebrated our 27^th wedding anniversary last week. I still anticipate what’s ahead. I still “expect with confidence” that we have amazing times in store for us. And my hope is that we’ll love each other even more through the coming years!

We Christians live with an even greater hope: eternity in heaven with our Lord God. Talk about “cherish[ing] a desire with anticipation”! I desire nothing more than shedding this earthly skin and being in the very presence of my Lord and Savior. I live in hope for that day.

Where is your hope? Can you really “expect with confidence” the things of this world? Certainly, you can place your hope in trusted people on earth, but your hope—your only real hope—should be in the One who will never leave you or forsake you (Hebrews 13:5). The One who loves you with an everlasting love (Jeremiah 31:3).

Place your hope in Him.

Love Believes All Things (1 Corinthians 13:7)

Today's scripture: 1 Corinthians 13:7

Love believes all things.

I spoke at an event a while ago, and I said that the one attribute of love that was missing from Paul’s list was, “Love is trustworthy.” After meditating on the words we’re focusing on today, I think I may be wrong. Today’s attribute is close.

If I love someone—truly love him—I’ll believe the best of him. I’ll believe he’ll do his best. He’ll be loyal and kind. He’ll be faithful to me. In fact, I’ll believe he’s worthy of my trust.

In return, I need to be the same for him. This is the relationship I’m blessed to have with my husband. I know he’ll be faithful to me. I know he’ll love me through sickness and health, good times and bad, riches and poverty … because, in 27 years of marriage, he has.

So I can believe he’ll be the same in the next year or five or ten.

Love isn’t blind. That’s certain. If someone has clear issues—anger, a tendency to belittle, a history of infidelity—you should avoid an intimate relationship.  However, if he has proven himself to be faithful, then you can trust him.

You can believe in him.

Love Bears All Things (1 Corinthians 13:7)

Today's scripture: 1 Corinthians 13:7

Love bears all things.

Love—true love—puts up with everything ... well, almost. I’m not saying we’re to be doormats or allow abuse, but we should be willing to bear our spouses' bad moods or our kids’ testiness. We shouldn’t get angry when friends forget a coffee date. We should instead love them.

Love is a noun and a verb, you know. We have a feeling of love (noun), but we choose to actively love (verb). I can’t remember where I read it, but the author wrote how a man came to him and said he didn’t love his wife any more. “What should I do?” he asked. “Just love her.” Confused, the man said again, “But I don’t love her.” And again, the reply was, “Just love her.”  This went on a couple of more times, and the man was told to just go and love his wife. And a marriage was restored.

We choose to love—the verb—even when those around us aren’t being very loveable. That’s why parents can say, “I don’t like what you’ve done, but I still love you.”

My mom is a prime example of that kind of love. For a very long time, I did a lot of things that my mom did not like, things that broke her heart, but she never stopped loving me. Today, there may be things my husband does that I don’t like, but I love him. I choose to love him every day.

Think of how Jesus loves us. I imagine He doesn’t like a lot of what we do, but He loves us. He loved us enough that “while [we] were still sinners, [He] died for us” (Rom. 5:8).

That’s what it means to bear all things. All things.

Love ... Rejoices With the Truth (1 Corinthians 13:6)

Today's scripture: 1 Corinthians 13:6

Love does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth.

Of all the attributes Paul describes, this one should be the easiest for those of us who follow Christ. We should never rejoice in unrighteousness. Sin should never be celebrated. As I write these words, I’m convicted—yet again. How often do I watch a television show or movie that revels in sin? More often than I care to admit.

Sin breaks the heart of my heavenly Father. It should do the same to mine. And yet, I laugh it off as though it doesn’t matter. I, dare I say, rejoice in unrighteousness.

Oh, as Paul would say, may that never be!

My rejoicing should only come when I see God work in lives. When I see people make a stand for faith. When someone begins a relationship with Jesus. When people grow in faith. When they use their God-given gifts.

When truth wins out.

Only then I should plan a party and celebrate.

Love .... Forgives (1 Corinthians 13:5)

Today's scripture: 1 Corinthians 13:5

Love does not take into account a wrong suffered.

In other words, love doesn’t hold a grudge. Love doesn’t seek revenge. Rather, love forgives, even when the other person hurts us deeply.

Forgiveness isn’t approval of the other person’s actions. It doesn’t condone wrongdoing. It doesn’t mean we have to let a person who wronged us into our daily lives. No. Forgiveness takes the burden of anger and bitterness off of our own shoulders. It allows us to love as Christ loved—loving the sinner without loving the sin.

Does this sound too unrealistic to be true? How can I forgive someone who’s abused me or taken what’s mine—or even killed my child?

It is possible with the strength of our Lord Jesus Christ. I know. The primary reason for my twenty-year rebellion was because I couldn’t—or wouldn’t—forgive those who had hurt me. My father for leaving us. Three adult men for abusing me.

My unforgiveness allowed hate and anger to fill my heart. It caused me to be miserable and pushed me into depression. Finally, when I just couldn’t take life any more, I found my way back to the arms of my heavenly Father, and with His strength, I was able to forgive. Those who hurt me never asked for my forgiveness, and my doing so didn’t say what they’d done was okay. But my being able to say “I forgive you” with a sincere heart lifted the burden that had so consumed my heart.

Holding a grudge or seeking revenge does nothing but destroy your own heart. There’s a saying that describes this well: “Anger [or unforgiveness] is like taking poison and expecting the other person to die.”

Don’t “take into account a wrong suffered.” Rather, ask Jesus to give you the strength to forgive. 

Love Is Not Provoked (1 Corinthians 13:5)

Today's scripture: 1 Corinthians 13:5

Love is not provoked.

Good old Webster defines provoke as “to incite to anger” or “to stir up purposely.”

If you’ve been in a relationship for any length of time—and by relationship, I mean family or friendship or romance—you probably know that other person very well. You know what brings him joy, and you know what drives him nuts.

And you know how to push his buttons.

My husband and I have been married for just over 27 years (together for over 30), and we know each other deeply. And yes, we know how to drive each other crazy—if we choose to do so. Sad to say, we sometimes make that choice. Fortunately, the longer we’re together, the less we provoke each other. And when we do, we ask for forgiveness much more quickly.

But I have to ask myself, why do we provoke those we love? If we fail to be without pride, we’re only hurting ourselves. But if we provoke another, we’re hurting them.

I don’t know for sure, but I have a theory. I think it may have to do with our own feelings of low self-esteem. If we’re not terribly confident in ourselves, we may provoke others to gain a false feeling of superiority.

Which brings us back to Paul’s words to the Philippians … If we love others, we’re going to do “ … nothing … through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself” (2:3).

I hadn’t thought about it before, but today’s attribute really builds on those that precede it: If we’re patient, if we’re kind, if we’re not boastful or arrogant, then we won’t need to put others down or provoke them to anger.

We won’t need to push their buttons because we’ll lovingly esteem them. 

Love Does Not Seek Its Own (1 Corinthians 13:5)

Today's scripture: 1 Corinthians 13:5

Love does not seek its own.

As we’ve looked at these attributes of love, I’ve tried to keep our hearts and minds on loving how Christ loves. And Jesus definitely doesn’t seek His own—never did, never will. In fact, He was so focused on the needs of others, He gave His very life for them ... for us.

Jesus said, “Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends” (NKJV, John 15:13).

While we may never be asked to literally die for our friends, are there ways we can serve the needs of others rather than seeking our own desires?

How do you spend your time? When you have free time, are you sitting in front of a computer, playing games or just surfing around? Do you watch hours of inane television? Is the latest issue of People magazine adorning your coffee table?

Believe me, I'm asking the same questions of myself.

We’ve been given the amazing gift of time, and how we use it can illustrate how we love. I’ve been very convicted—yet again—of how I spend my time. I really do want to steward my time in order to delight God, and I know He’s delighted when I serve others, when I shine the light of Jesus to a dark world.

When I sacrifice my time to mentor a young woman who's struggling, when I give up a little leisure time to volunteer at a God-serving organization, when I’m on my knees—literally or figuratively—interceding on the behalf of others, then My Father is well-pleased.

No, I may not be dying a physical death, but when I seek to serve the needs of others, I sacrifice a bit of myself.

And by doing so, I love a bit more like Christ does.

Love Does Not Act Unbecomingly (1 Corinthians 13:5)

Today's scripture: 1 Corinthians 13:5

Love does not act unbecomingly.

Unbecomingly. Not a word we use in our daily vocabulary, I’d wager. There’s a nice old-fashioned ring to it, so I had to check out old Webster. Unbecoming means to behave in a way “not according with the standards appropriate to one's position or condition of life.”

Both the New Living Translation and the Contemporary English Version use the word “rude.”

We as Christians should never be rude. And that can mean a couple of things. Rudeness connotes treating others in an “offensive manner.” It also can mean being “vulgar” in speech and action.

Think about how you interact with other people. Do you enjoy telling off-color jokes or using the latest profanity? Do you delight in pointing out the failings in others?

Or do you walk away when others gossip or put people down? Do you avoid using words that are offensive?

I picture Jesus sitting with a group of society’s disreputable. I picture His loving them and showing them kindness. But I do not picture Him laughing at their infirmities or failures. I do not picture Him peppering His speech with swear words.

And as we’ve talked about since we started looking at the attributes of love, we need to strive to love as He did.

Today, watch what you say and do.  And love as Christ loves. 

Love Is Not Arrogant (1 Corinthians 13:4)

Today's scripture: 1 Corinthians 13:4

Love is not arrogant.

Other versions say, “love is not proud.”  Love means not thinking too highly of oneself. Paul defines this so well in Philippians 2:3-4:

Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.

Lowliness of mind doesn’t mean we’re to be doormats; rather, it means we’re to love as Christ loved, with a servant’s heart: 

Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. (Phil. 2:5-8)

Loving without arrogance requires an attitude of humility.

Are you able to truly rejoice in the blessings others experience? Are you willing to serve in the background if that’s what God calls you to do? Will you serve as Christ did, with a humble servant’s heart?

Then you’ll love without being arrogant.

Love Does Not Brag (1 Corinthians 13:4)

Today's scripture: 1 Corinthians 13:4

Love does not brag.

True love is never about me. True love is my looking out for others, caring for others, supporting others. 

If I truly love someone, I shouldn’t be thinking about myself and what I can do. And if my thoughts aren’t on me, then I won‘t be bragging on my accomplishments. In fact, I really won’t care about what I do that’s “newsworthy.” I’ll be content to stay in the background. And when I do have the opportunity to be in the limelight, I won’t go around telling everyone.

This can be tough. Sometimes, we get excited about a God-given chance to shine. I have the privilege of performing on stage periodically. Sometimes I get to play a more principal role; sometimes I’m “just” in the ensemble. I have to be very careful. Sometimes I walk a very, very fine line between bragging about my part in a play and just wanting people to come out to see a talented cast of storytellers. No matter what I’m doing, the question is, will I “publicize” each and every play in the same way? Will I brag on the principal actors and be just as excited to have people come see a show when I’m not a lead?

I pray this is so! Because, when I love others, I should want to boast about them. 

What about you? Are you boasting in your own accomplishments? Are you telling everyone how wonderful you are? Or are you content to stand back and let others shine? And tell everyone how wonderful they are?

Love is Not Jealous (1 Corinthians 13:4)

Today's scripture: 1 Corinthians 13:4

Love is not jealous.

I have to be honest here … I sometimes struggle with this one.  I see someone doing something I think I should be doing, and I’m envious. I read Facebook status updates about children or travels or amazing opportunities, and that nasty green-eyed monster raises its ugly head.

I don’t want to feel this way. I want to truly rejoice in the talents and achievements of others. I want to be genuinely happy when others have things I never will.

I really do.

Why do we feel jealous or envious? I think it has to do with contentment—or lack thereof. When I’m discontent with my own life, I’m much more likely to be envious of what others have. Conversely, when I’m content and satisfied with what I have and what I can do, I don’t even think about what others do.

It also has to do with trusting God. If I believe He’s blessed each of us according to His plan, I don’t have to be jealous because I know what I have, what I can do, what I’ve achieved is what He desires for me.

As I write these words, I recognize yet again how very blessed I am. I have a wonderful husband, a great family, supportive friends, several vocations I enjoy. My  husband and I just fulfilled a long-held dream of mine and moved to our newly-adopted state of Tennessee, and we are in the process of finding a new home … one that will be lovely and comfortable.

I have no right—none whatsoever—to be jealous or envious. None. Because when I am, I’m telling God He hasn’t given me enough—when He’s given me abundantly more than I deserve.

A More Excellent Way (1 Corinthians 12:31b-13:3)

Today's scripture: 1 Corinthians 12:31b-13:3

We’ve been talking a lot about spiritual giftedness over the last several days. How we should use our gifts. How we’re all a part of the body of Christ’s. How each of us should work together in order to serve God. How we are to reach others with the gospel.

But our gifts aren’t worth anything if they’re not founded on love. God is love, and everything He does is founded on His great love for us. We, in turn, should use the gifts with which He’s blessed us to serve Him and others in love.

The apostle John, the one whom Christ loved, writes, “My dear friends, we must love each other. Love comes from God, and when we love each other, it shows that we have been given new life. We are now God's children, and we know him” (CEV, 1 John 4:7).

Serving God and using His gifts is a “more excellent way.” And it’s really a matter of heart and motivation. We can preach with fervency, teach with great knowledge, open our homes for fellowship, or offer mercy to the “least of these.” However, if we don’t do these with love—genuine love—for God and others, all we do “profits [us] nothing.”

In other words, it won’t bring kingdom-building results.

We must, as Jesus said, “… ‘LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND, AND WITH ALL YOUR STRENGTH.’ The second is this, ‘YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.’ There is no other commandment greater than these” (NASB, Mark 12:30-31).

Do You Love Me? (John 21:15-23)

Today's scripture: John 21:15-23

"Do you love Me?" Jesus asks Peter ... three times. Commentators have debated Jesus' purpose in doing so. As I researched the various theories, I found the following:

Jesus used this opportunity to encourage and exhort Peter about his upcoming responsibilities and even prophesies the manner in which Peter will die. By asking Peter “do you love me?” three times, Jesus was emphasizing the importance of Peter’s love and unswerving obedience to his Lord as necessary for his future ministry.

Jesus begins by questioning Peter about His love for Him, and each time Peter answers in the affirmative, Jesus follows up with the command for Peter to feed His sheep. His meaning is that if Peter truly loves his Master, he is to shepherd and care for those who belong to Christ.

It is possible that by His repeated question Jesus is subtly reminding Peter of his three denials ... It wasn’t lost on Peter that Jesus repeated His question to him three times, just as Peter previously denied Him three times.

Whatever the reason for the three-fold “do you love me?” question, Jesus was impressing on Peter how important his new role of tending the flock of Christ’s followers would be. When someone repeats instructions to us over and over, we quickly understand that it’s extremely important for us to heed them. Jesus wanted to make sure Peter understood this vital charge He was tasking him with and the ultimate reason for it, to follow Him and glorify God (John 21:19). (gotquestions.org)

Our greatest takeaway? Jesus asks us the same question, "Do you love Me?" "Do you love Me enough to give up everything and follow Me?"

What's your answer?

Jesus' Prayer for You! (John 17:13-21)

Today's scripture: John 17:13-21

Before you were even a "glimmer in your daddy's eye," Jesus prayed for you. Before you took a breath, Jesus prayed for you. Before you learned your ABCs and 123s, Jesus prayed for you. Before your first heartbreak, Jesus prayed for you. Before ... before everything you are and do, Jesus prayed for you.

Isn't that amazing?

What did He pray? He prayed the same words for you as He did for the disciples who had walked with Him for three years. He prayed for unity among believers. He prayed for joy. He prayed for protection from the evil one. He prayed for sanctification. He prayed that you would be one with Him and with the Father. He prayed that the world would believe in Him through you.

When I first studied the book of John years ago, I vividly remember reading verse 20 of chapter 17: "I do not ask on behalf of these alone, but for those also who believe in Me through their word ..." I wrote in the margin of my Bible: "This prayer is for all who believe!!" I remember being awed and blessed—and humbled—to think that Jesus prayed for me. For me!

As I meditated again on this verse this morning, I decided to insert my name: "I do not ask on behalf of these alone, but for Sauni also who believes in Me through their word ..." It's not too far-fetched to think that Jesus thought of each and every one of us by name when He said these words.

Do it yourself. Insert your name. Jesus prayed for you!!

Seriously. Isn't that amazing?

You Are Loved! (John 15:8-11)

Today's scripture: John 15:8-11

You are loved. You are loved.

The entire Bible is about how much you are loved by the God of the universe, the Creator of all things. The Father loves you so very much that He sent part of Himself to earth to die for you. For you.

From the beginning of time as we know it, God knew about you. He knew the moment you would be conceived and the day of your birth. He knew when you'd cut your first tooth, take your first step. He knew your fear when you started kindergarten and smiled as you learned your ABCs. He saw you through the angst of junior high and the peer pressure of high school.

He knew the choices you'd make, including those that displeased Him. He knew you'd sin. But He loved you anyway. The Bible tells us that "... God showed how much he loved us by having Christ die for us, even though we were sinful" (Romans 5:8, CEV). Even though He knew everything—everything—you'd do, He loved you so much, He put a plan in place so that He could be in relationship with you.

Oh yes, you are loved.

We've just spend four days focusing on 11 verses in John, chapter 15. We've seen that we are to abide in Christ, which means we're to focus on Him and surrender to Him and cling to Him. We've seen that those who do this will bear fruit of many, for lack of a better term, flavors. We've seen that if we commit our lives to God, our prayers will be answered according to His will.

Why did Jesus speak these words? He tells us in verse 11: So that His joy would be in us, and that our joy would be "made full." Jesus wants us to be joyful, to enjoy the blessings He delights in showering upon us. The Amplified Bible interprets this verse in a wonderful, encouraging, joy-producing way:

I have told you these things that My joy and delight may be in you, and that your joy and gladness may be of full measure and complete and overflowing.

Is your life full of joy and gladness? It all comes down to abiding in Christ. How much time do you really spend with Him? How often do you meditate on the word of God? How frequently do you spend time in prayer and listening to His voice? These are what bring God joy, and these are what fill our hearts with joy—complete and overflowing.

Love as Jesus Loves (John 13:31-38)

Today's scripture: John 13:31-38

Jesus made it very clear: We are to love one another. Even more, we are to love others as He loves us.

How does He love us? Completely. Unconditionally. With grace and mercy. Even to the point of dying for us.

Jesus' love isn't based on what we do for Him. It isn't fickle or changeable. It doesn't wonder if it will be returned. No. Jesus' love is ... well, it's love. He looks at us, and He just loves us. And how does He demonstrate that love?

Not long ago, we read about Lazarus' death and the compassion Jesus showed for Martha and Mary. He grieved with them and shared their broken hearts. We've seen how, each time He came across a hurting person, He showed care and a desire to help them. Then, a couple of days ago we looked at the scene where Jesus washed His disciples' feet. He washed every single foot, even Judas', the one who was going momentarily betray Him. So, we know that Jesus loves with a compassionate, caring, and humble servant's heart.

We aren't quite there yet in our study of John, but we know how He ultimately demonstrated His love for us: He gave His very life for us.

This is how we're to love. We're to show compassion and caring for others. We're to be willing to humbly serve even those who might hurt us or betray us. We're to be willing to lay down our lives for them. Just as Jesus did.

And why are we to love like this? Because, as Jesus said, "By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” Nothing is quite as detrimental to the cause of Christ as when those who call themselves by His name treat other Christians with disdain. Even worse, when they show outright hate for those outside the faith.

If we truly loved as Jesus does, people would be attracted to us—and to Him. If we showed compassion and caring for others, no matter who they are and what they've done, it would truly change this world. If we figuratively (or perhaps literally) washed the feet of even those who might betray us ... oh, imagine how beautiful that would be.