When I opened my newsfeed this morning there were multiple stories of “celebrities” who were once again changing partners. One in particular just left her partner a couple months ago but now was “in love” with someone new. It seems at time that they change love interests as often as they change clothes.
Love, as defined by those stories is nothing more than feelings, and feelings as we all know are often misleading.
Love, however, as defined by God in the Scriptures is far more than an emotion. It is an action. We see that especially in those precious verses in 1 Corinthians 13:4-7.
“Love is patient, love is kind. Love does not envy, is not boastful, is not conceited, does not act improperly, is not selfish, is not provoked, and does not keep a record of wrongs. Love finds no joy in unrighteousness but rejoices in the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.” [HCSB]
Everything Paul says about love is an action directed toward others, and in particular, how a person is to treat people. As I once again read those actions that are to define the way I treat others, I realize how far short I often am. I can stumble over just the first three words … love is patient!
If I get past those first three words, I certainly stumble over the last three … endures all things. I wonder if I can ever love like that. I so often am concerned with my own interests and issues and how others affect me. Still, I know I must continually try because that is the way our God loves us and the way He expects us to love others.
Of course, here is the Good News. Through Christ all things are possible, and we can love others through the grace that He provides rather than following our own self-centered instincts.
We must remember to call on the grace of God for everything we need to keep our love genuine and Christlike!