Love defined - 1 Corinthians 13
Love Defined - Pt. 1
Many people in the world are searching, and they may give various answers as to what they are searching for. However, if we listen closely, one can tell that the world is in search of love. It is sad to know that many of these people will never know or experience love. This is not because they are undeserving of love, but rather because they define it wrongly. They only see love as something to be received, while love in its very essence is to give.
Often times, when I hear the word 'love' my ever-wandering mind immediately, thinks of 'romantic love.' I hope that you are nothing like me. One of the many reasons we should not just think of 'romantic love' is due to the fact that a Christian's life ought to be marked by love, and of course, that is in no way suggesting that a Christian should be in a romantic relationship with everyone. Rather, their life is consistently marked by being sacrificial, committed, and dying to self. This kind of love is not only reserved between a boyfriend and a girlfriend or a husband and a wife, but it should be evident in all our relationships – with our families, our friends, our colleagues, our neighbours, our church family, etc.
In order for us to know the real meaning of love, we must know how God defines love because love comes from God; it starts with Him. Not only does God possess the characteristic of love, but God Himself is Love (1 John 4:8). The Bible teaches us that God demonstrates His love towards us in that while we were still sinners (and still his enemies), He sent His Son to die for us (Romans 5:8). The Bible does not mention anything loveable about us before God chose to save us. God did not spare His only Son but gave Him up for us. God did not have to send us Jesus because He does not owe us a Saviour, but out of His great love He chose to give us Jesus. Jesus Himself did not have to die on the cross for us, but He willingly chose to. Already we can clearly see that God's love is a giving kind of love, it is sacrificial in nature and it is deeply committed.
None of us can love like God, but as those who are born of Him – called to walk in the light and to imitate Christ, we can make it our mission to pursue love and abound in it. 1 Corinthians 13 verses 4 to 7 tells us more about what love is: Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, and endures all things. From these verses, we can learn some practical ways to love those around us.
Love is patient and kind. To be patient and kind is to respond positively in situations where we feel mistreated or taken advantage of. This means we are not easily angered or quick to take revenge. To be patient and kind towards someone is to maintain genuine care for them regardless of how they have treated you. Patient and kind love are considerate of the other person, this type of love is eager to encourage and render itself to be helpful, instead of being irritable.
Love does not envy or boast. In order to not envying someone, it requires us not to view them as our enemy. Genuine love does not compare or perceive another person's success as a threat; be it academics, finances, or spiritual gifts. But genuine love truly celebrates and rejoices with others. If we are in a position where we are more fortunate than others, to be loving would mean we do not gloat over other people. This type of love is humble and does not seek to lord over others.
Love is not arrogant or rude. Being arrogant is the same as to be prideful. Pride is mostly evident in us when things such as our gifts and talents are displayed in its full strength. Genuine love does not belittle others. Love is not rude. When we love someone, it shows in the way we communicate with them. Having good manners shows that we are sensitive to someone's feelings. A love that is not arrogant or rude is marked by good courtesy towards others.
Love does not insist on its own way. When we insist on our own way, it means that we are only looking out for our own needs and not the needs of others. To not insist on our own way is to consciously consider the other person more significant than us. To love this way means we search our heart's motives before we do or say anything. Genuine love is not self-seeking.
Love is not irritable or resentful. True love overlooks an offense. This is not to say that we become a 'doormat' for people to walk all over us, rather we are slow to be annoyed and we do not deliberately seek to blame others. A resentful heart is an unloving heart. Love does not hold grudges, it does not keep a record of people's wrongdoings. This type of love forgives and prays for those who do wrong to them.
