Hello, Beloved Reader! I’m Faith. Thanks for visiting me today.
February is known for holding the famous Valentine’s Day within its short calendar time. We all know that Valentine’s Day is most commonly associated with lovers. What better to talk about than what real love is? So here’s some reading for you, 1 Corinthians 13:1-8.
Before we define love, let’s look at its attributes.
In this Scripture, we find that charity (love) suffers long. Even if someone is unkind to it, it returns with kindness. It doesn’t boast about or praise itself, and it doesn’t make itself look big in the eyes of others. It behaves appropriately, doesn’t seek its own, doesn’t get easily annoyed or angry, doesn’t think evil, and doesn’t rejoice in iniquity. Charity rejoices in the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things, and most of all it NEVER fails.
So, what is love?
The exact definition of love from Google is “an intense feeling of deep affection,” but that’s only half way right. For the most part, real love is commitment, whole-hearted dedication. It’s a No-Matter-What statement. No matter what, you will completely give your all. Love, real love, is sacrifice.
God showed us that.
He’s suffered so long with us through all of our mistakes, even when we flat out disobeyed and turned around, knowing we were doing the wrong thing. He’s kind even when we get angry with Him. When we fall down, He picks us up instead of getting annoyed or angry with all our problems. His thoughts toward us are of “peace, and not of evil, to give us and expected end.” (Jerimiah 29:11) Most of all, GOD NEVER FAILS.
Love is sacrifice.
Even when others beat you down, as hard as it might be, be kind. When they drag your name through the mud and cause everyone to shun you, return it with kindness. When they hate you, and cast you out, and leave you to the dogs, or stone you like they did Stephen, forgive them. Show them the real love of God. Give them your all. Sacrifice for them because that’s what God did for you! Jesus was betrayed, denied, beaten, whipped, mocked, spit upon, laughed at, scourged, and hated by His own people, and He did nothing but love them. He was murdered by the ones He loved. He gave His all to give all of us an opportunity for eternal life. I don’t know of a greater love. In the end, it will stand. God is love, and love will win. Love will stand.
— Faith Cross
