I
was going to write a long piece about the different types of love and the way
in which we love our family and friends, but looking at Corinthians 14:4-7 it
shows us quite simply the qualities of love.
Love is patient
love is kind.
It does not envy,
it does not boast,
it is not proud.
It does not dishonour others,
it is not self-seeking,
it is not easily angered,
it keeps no record of wrongs.
Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.
It always protects,
always trusts,
always hopes,
always perseveres,
Love never fails
This is a very useful measuring stick that removes doubt and
confusion we can clearly see the character and quality of what love is and
equally clearly what it isn’t. Many things over the centuries have been done in the 'name of
love', and caused more harm. But when you
start to think about the qualities that are listed in the scripture, you can
begin to understand that the thoughts we have and all the terms we use for love
don’t really add up to much...
What Love isn’t
It does not envy,
it does not boast,
it is not proud.
It does not dishonour others,
it is not self-seeking,
it is not easily angered,
it keeps no record of wrongs.
Love does not delight in evil
What Love is
Love is patient
Love is kind.
Love rejoices with the truth.
It always protects,
always trusts,
always hopes,
always perseveres.
Love never fails.
Take some time to think not only about how you love others, but equally how you love yourself.
What are you saying about yourself to others? We can be quick to bring and let ourselves
down. Do you keep your promises to yourself, and look after yourself the way
you would want someone to care for you?
Take time this week to give it some thought, make the necessary
change. In a nutshell anything less just
isn’t Love!
.....the faith and love that spring from the hope stored
up for you in heaven and
about which you have already heard in the true message of
the gospel ... Collosians 1:5
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