Paul

December 4

1 Corinthians 13:1-7

Love

After Paul had explained to the Corinthians that we, as believers, are part of the body of Christ, he went on to write about the kind of love that keeps the body together and working properly.

He said to them, “If I had the gift of speaking in a heavenly language but didn’t love others, I would just be making a noise. If I had the gift of preaching and was wise enough to know every secret; or if I had enough faith to move a mountain but I didn’t have love, I would be nothing. If I gave away everything I own and were willing to die for someone but I didn’t have love, it wouldn’t mean a thing.

Love is patient and kind; never jealous or proud; never selfish or irritable. Love does not want to remember wrongs. Love is not happy with evil but is happy with the truth. Love never gives up! It always trusts and it always hopes.”

How can I show love when I don’t feel like it?

When things are going well, it’s easy to love your family and friends. But what about the times when you’re feeling miserable? And what about loving people you don’t like and who irritate you? Does God really expect you to love everyone all the time?

Jesus knows that our hearts don’t bubble over with nice feelings all the time. He doesn’t expect us to like every person, but He did say that we must love everyone—just as He loves us (John 13:34). Love is measured by our kind-hearted actions, not by our feelings. And so, because love doesn’t depend on how we feel, we can still be kind towards others even when we don’t feel very loving.

A ‘giving’ kind of love can only come from God; so when you meet someone who is not easy to love, ask Him to pour His love into your heart through the Holy Spirit who lives in you (Romans 5:5). Then think of some way to be kind to that person.

Verse for today

Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. 1 John 4:7a