Love. It’s a word that gets overused and trivialized in our modern culture. A word of affection or affirmation, signaling approval, as in “I love chocolate!” That’s not Paul’s take on love. Before you read these verses, did you think of love differently than you do now? How about that we are “nothing” without love? Loving others is what we are called to do, what sets us apart from those who don’t know Jesus, and without it we’re just loud and obnoxious.
Of course, people who don’t know Jesus can love and show love, but is it the same love that Paul describes here? The world has its own interpretation of love. Too often we see selfish love or love that has an unhealthy motivation. The Biblical love Paul talks about is pure, holy, and committed.
Paul describes what love is and what love is not so that we will be better lovers and receivers of that love. You’ve no doubt heard this Bible passage read at weddings. On a wedding day, the couple can be lost in a blissful love they believe will last forever. Sadly, many couples become disillusioned about love when the excitement of the courtship and wedding becomes a distant memory. Keeping these verses in mind can be a good defense against slipping out of love.
What stood out to you in Paul’s teaching on love? For me, it was this: love “is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.” In my own life, I have had the blessing of loving and being loved by a good, God-fearing man. The love described here can be found in our marriage, despite the difficult circumstances at times. Never have I doubted his love for me, and in times of sickness or struggle, we have always shared a hope that kept our love strong. Our hope is in Christ and the knowledge that we are only foreigners in this world. Our great reward awaits us in the arms of Jesus one day.
Paul tells us love will last forever. 1 John 4:8 says, “But anyone who does not love does not know God, for God is love.” God is love. God is eternal. His love for us certainly lasts forever. If love is forever, what if you feel your love is fading? Many relationships face testing, and sadly, when you look at the divorce rate, you realize that perhaps those couples did not love as God intended.
There’s some helpful advice here about what we are able to understand in this life. It’s helpful to know we don’t have to have it all figured out. God knows. Paul says, “All that I know now is partial and incomplete, but then I will know everything completely, just as God now knows me completely.” While the “then” may be vague, it suggests there will be a time when all will be known.
For now, it does us good to listen to the wise proverb, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.” (Proverbs 3:5-6) If you’ve got questions about the mystery of love, trust God and seek his will. (Remember God is love.)
How are you loving others? Are you a good lover, modeling Paul’s attributes of love? I am sure we can all do a better job of loving as Paul teaches. Who are you going to reach out to today with love like Jesus?
Let’s pray. Lord, thank you for being such a great example of love for me to follow. Whenever I am in doubt, I can simply ask, “What would Jesus do?” Help me to be a better lover of those around me. Give me eyes to see and ears to hear the needs. Let your love flow out of me for others; there is plenty to share. Thank you that I can trust you to guide my life and share with me your truth, as I am ready to receive it. May my life be a blessing to you. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
