Love

Love

What is love? Simple: Jesus. If we look at 1 Corinthians 13:4-8, we are told exactly what love is.

“Love is patient, love is kind. It is not jealous, [love] is not pompous, it is not inflated, it is not rude, it does not seek its own interests, it is not quick-tempered, it does not brood over injury, it does not rejoice over wrongdoing but rejoices with the truth it bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails.” 1 Corinthians 13:4-8

This piece of Scripture defines love by what it does and does not do. If you replace the word love with Jesus, it matches perfectly. Jesus is patient and kind, not envious or boastful. When we are told to live like Jesus, we are told to love all. This doesn’t mean that we need to agree with everything everyone says, but we need to approach people with respect and kindness. Even if the perspective is temporary, love will remain. Right before this, Paul writes,

“If I speak in human and angelic tongues but do not have love, I am a resounding gong or a clashing cymbal. And if I have the gift of prophecy and comprehend all mysteries and all knowledge; if I have all faith so as to move mountains but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give away everything I own, and if I hand my body over so that I may boast but do not have love, I gain nothing.” 1 Corinthians 13:1-3

The Bible often references 3 theological virtues: faith, hope, and love. Jesus tells us that the greatest commandment of these is love. The love we have in our lives show others the importance

“I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” John 13:34 & 35

We are known as disciples by the love we possess for one another.