"Love suffers
long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not
puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked,
thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears
all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things."
(1Corinthians 13:4-7 NKJ)
At first glance,
because of his general description of love, I could conclude that Paul is
giving a generic lecture about love. Yet, when I consider his thoughts about
love in the context of the Corinthians' pursuit of the best gift, then the fog
of generic concepts dissipates.
His positive
exhortation to pursue love first and then a spiritual gift, teaches me that an
excessive pursuit of a spiritual gift creates a spirit and an attitude that are
direct opposites from love. In other words, without the foundation of love, the
excessive pursuit of a spiritual gift creates impatience; envy; arrogance; rude
behavior; self-affirmation; contempt;
unrighteous thinking; unrighteous behavior; and distortion of truth.
But love resists all
those attitudes and behaviors, because it "bears all things; believes all
things; hopes all things; and endures all things." Love creates a
protective barrier around those with whom I interact. Love portrays confidence
in them, their integrity and their intentions. Love portrays patience with them
and trust in them. Love for them continues and overflows their mistakes and
unloving ways.
Just about now I'm
getting uncomfortable because I realize that Paul's exhortation, to pursue love
over and above every other pursuit, is about me and not other people. Love is
"the best gift" so I should till my heart and seed love into it. I should
cultivate love's growth. I should surrender to the Holy Spirit's work of love.
I should pursue love before every other spiritual gift.
Dear Father, thank
you for your unconditional love. Create love's power in me to the level of
unconditional and overflowing. I ask this blessings in the name of Jesus. AMEN
What
message are you sending out? Where's the Love?
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