What is Love? Three Reminders from 1 Corinthians 13
Yesterday at Hope Church, we started a series called "Best Family Ever".
We're taking the first five weeks of 2024 to examine what God's Word says about our relationships. I want to provide reminders and encouragement for Word of Hope from the previous day's sermon each Monday.
Here's what we discussed:
1. Love starts internally. - 1 Corinthians 13:1-3
The Apostle Paul names five spiritual gifts here but points out that none matter if you don't have a genuine love for others. Genuine love is born in the heart. Which can't be "manufactured". Oswald Chambers says, "The fountains from which love flows are in God, not in us. It is absurd to think that the love of God is naturally in our hearts, as a result of our own nature. His love is there only because it "has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit (Romans 5)". So today, ask God to give you a heart of love for others. Ask God to help you see people the way He sees them and love people the way He loves them. I heard that Mr. Rodgers used to carry a note in his wallet given to him by a social worker that said, "Frankly, there isn't anybody that you couldn't learn to love once you have heard their story.”
2. Love is displayed sacrificially. - 1 Corinthians 13:4-7
John 3:18 says, "Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth." If we have a heart full of love for others, it is displayed in action, primarily self-sacrifice. Paul lists seven things that love "does" and eight things that love "doesn't do" here. He says love IS "patient, kind, rejoices with the truth, bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, and endures all things." He says love DOESN'T "envy or boast, it isn't arrogant or rude, it doesn't insist on its own way, it isn't irritable, isn't resentful, and doesn't rejoice at wrongdoing."
That's a long list of things. But is there one of those that you read and think, "I could really use the Holy Spirit's help in that area of my life?" Maybe it's to show patience with your spouse or kids. Maybe it's to be kind. Maybe it's to live with Hope. Or it could be something else. Ask the Lord to help you this week in that area to show love.
3. Love matures and endures. - 1 Corinthians 13:8-13
In context, Paul is talking about spiritual gifts. The Corinthians prized themselves on their gifts and abilities. But they were missing what was more important. Love for one another. Paul explains that all gifts will pass away. We don't have a complete understanding now, but one day in eternity, we will fully understand. On that day, there won't be any spiritual gifts, but love will remain.
Jesus Christ models perfect love. Romans 5:6-8 says, "For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die— but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." You'll never know true love and never be able to display His love until you've experienced it fully. If you haven't, start there by surrendering your life to Him and accepting His love and forgiveness.