Love is always patient; love is always kind; love is never envious or arrogant with pride. (1 Corinthians 13:4 International Standard Version)
As we are growing up, our parents teach us not to speak in absolutes. Nothing is always. Everybody isn’t. Everyone else doesn’t. And this is right for our parents to do.
There are no absolutes in life. Nothing is always. Except… for God. There is no doubt about it, God is absolute. God is always 100% good. God is always 100% gracious. God is always 100% faithful. God is always 100% love.
I Corinthians chapter 13 describes agape love – the God-kind of love. Because agape love is God’s love, it is an absolute love.
Therefore, love is always patient. Love is always kind. Love always bears all things. Love always believes all things. Love always hopes all things. Love always endures all things. (verses 4 & 7)
Because this is God’s love, and God dwells in every believer, love always is an attainable goal for every Christian. Remember what Paul wrote in Romans 5:5 – “… because God’s love has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.”
The Holy Spirit is pouring God’s love into our hearts. We have God’s love in us. Therefore, through the power of the Holy Spirit, we can be love. Agape love. God’s- kind of love.
Am I always patient? No, but I am closer this year than I was last year. Am I always kind? No, but I am closer this year than I was last year.
Study 1 Corinthians chapter 13 for yourself. Determine that you will live your life according to this standard of God’s Word. This isn’t a suggestion by God. It is a command we are to live by.
We can do this. We can live our lives showing agape love to those around us. We can accomplish this because God says we can do this. And even more importantly, He empowers us to do this through the power of the Holy Spirit.
Special thanks to my pastor, Kenn Watson, for preaching the sermon that inspired this devotion.
Prayer
Father, I thank you for being a God of absolutes. You are absolutely 100% love. I also thank you for your Holy Spirit, who is pouring your love into my heart continuously every day. Through the empowerment of the Holy Spirit, you have given me, I determine to be like you. Please help me to be love always just as you are love always. I know I can do this and I will do this. I will be love always toward everyone around me.
Additional Scriptures:
1 John 4:7-11; 1 John 4:16; Romans 8:37-39; Isaiah 54:10; Galatians 2:20; Proverbs 3:27; Proverbs 14:31; Isaiah 1:17; Matthew5:16; Luke 6:35-36; Romans 12:9-10; Galatians 6:2
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