God's love is unconditional, unlimited, complete and
everlasting.
16 For
God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever
believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.
~ Jesus / John 3:16
Love
"More songs have been
written about love than any other topic. It has inspired some of the best and
worst poetry. It has set on fire, and broken, countless hearts throughout
history. Many things are said about love. Yet for the final word on the topic,
we must turn to the Bible. In 1 Corinthians 13, the Apostle Paul, under the
inspiration of the Holy Spirit, provides the world's most beautiful ode to
love.
One common word for love in
the Greek language was *eros*, which suggest a physical sexual desire and not
much else. Another word *philos* suggested the esteem and affection found in a
casual friendship. Because neither of these words came close to describing the
kind of love he wanted to communicate, Paul chose a relatively rare Greek word for
his definitive passage on love. This word, *agape*, describes a love that is
based on the deliberate choice of the one who loves rather than the worthiness
of the one who is loved. This kind of love goes against natural human
inclination. It is giving, selfless, expect-nothing-in-return kind of love.
Paul's description of love is short but full of power.
Love suffers for a long
time. Our modern "throw-away" society encourages us to get rid of
people in our lives who are difficult to get along with, whether they are
friends, family or acquaintances. Yet this attitude runs in complete contrast
to the love described by Paul. True love puts up with people who would be
easier to give up on.
Love does not envy. If our
love is directed towards others, we will rejoice in the blessings they receive
rather than desiring those blessings for ourselves. Fundamentally, the selfless
love that God calls us to does not involve pride or glory. It does not parade itself
and is not puffed up. In fact, true love does not seek its own. If we truly
love others, we will set aside our own plans, agendas, and entitlements for the
good of another.
Love is not provoked. That
is, love is not easily angered or over-sensitive. When we truly love others, we
are careful not to be touchy concerning other people's words or actions towards
us.
Love does not rejoice in
iniquity, but rejoices in truth. The godly love described in 1 Corinthians 13
has nothing to do with evil, but has everything to do with what is right and
true. It beleives all thins and hopes all things. This does not mean that love
is blind or naive. When we love we may recognize problems and failures in
people, but we do not loose faith in the possibilities of what people might
become. Love never gives up, knowing that God can change lives for the better.
Finally, love endures all
things. Love accepts any hardship or rejection, and continues unabated to build
up and encourage. The love described by Paul in this "love chapter"
means determining what is best for another person and then doing it. This is
the kind of love that God shows to us."
"Love never
fails."
The Greatest Gift
1 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. 2 And though I have the gift of
prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I
have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I
am nothing. 3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing.
4 Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; 5 does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; 6 does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; 7 bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.8 Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away. 9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part. 10 But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away.
11 When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things. 12 For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known.
13 And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.