Love (character of love)

Part 2 of 3.
Now looking at the verses 4-8. Paul shows us the quality of love and what love does. It is interesting how Paul uses more negatives of what love isn’t than what love is. This is to put strong emphasis on what it does not do, to show us the sins in our lives. When we read these verses we so often feel warm and emotional, as so often we hear these words in weddings and sit there thinking love is great. The actual reality is the passage shows us love is not just an emotion, it is an action. Agape love, which is the love Paul is referring to, means a love where we seek the best for an individual or person no matter what we gain out of it ourselves. This is about what we do to show love.

Love is patient, it is prepared to wait, it puts up with others inefficiencies. It is kind, friendly, generous, it seeks to help people, say kind words to people. Are you one of those people who seeks to be kind to others? Love does not envy, it is not defined by competition, and rivalry. Can we be effective Christians if we allow rivalry and jealousy to come into our lives? The answer is no we can’t; we are not at peace with each other. So often we forget we are on the same team, we are on God’s team! Love does not boast and is not proud; it does not bring attention to itself. Love is not rude. How often are we rude about each other and so often behind each other backs? Love does not gossip. As Christians we are often the worse for gossiping about one another. It does not anger easily, it does not keep record of others wrong doing, nor does not hold it against them. It rejoices in the truth. The truth is when God's will is done no matter where or what.

It goes on to say it is not self seeking. I really believe this is a sin in our lives which goes so unnoticed. It is something God has been teaching me. So often we think we are ok because we think about others or do things for others. But self-centeredness is deeper than that. I so often think about me and what I am going to do in my life, what can I get out of this opportunity this friendship, this relationship. So often we have friends because they make us feel good about ourselves. We are so often guilty in thinking me me me. Have we ever thought if I kiss my girlfriend or boyfriend then I feel secure, I get the emotion I need. I have come to realise in the relationship I am in, that actually showing my girlfriend love I need to not be trying to get what I can out the relationship, but what I can put in. I want to do this God way, the true way of love, to honour God and Esther (my girlfriend).

How can we counter this and live in love. Firstly look at the cross, and see what Jesus did for us, that was not selfish, that was love in it's purest. His life was perfect he lived to serve others and God. Jesus is our greatest example. Let us see what we can do for one another and how we can support, and focus our lives on the gospel. You know serving God means serving others and serving others means serving God. Is God not great in this, in his kindness, mercy and his wonderful grace he has allowed it to be the same thing in one.

Does not the character of love show how superficial so many love songs we listen too are? They tell us about an emotion how you can fall in and out of love, but this is not what our bible tells us. When we read this we should think of real human beings, not someone running slowly on a beach. We should not just think of people we like but also people who annoy us. Do you ever ask God are you sure you are calling them? How often have you asked that? I know I have. You know so often we find it so hard to love one another. People will let you down and we will get hurt, because we are a fallen people. We need to seek to live a life of love, and if we look at our lives and if we see a lack of love, then we need to pray for Gods forgiveness and that he will help us love one another. You know Jesus call us to serve like he did with his disciples he washed their feet. Jesus lived a life of serving others. Let us look this week at the different aspects of love and apply them to our lives.