DO YOU HAVE TRUE LOVE
Memorise: Beareth all things, believeth
all things, hopeth all things, eudureth all things. 1st Corinthians
13:7
Read: 1st Corinthians
13:1-13, Bible in one year: Hosea 6:10, Mathew 6:16-34
Our God is wonderful, and He has many
wonderful attributes. Some of these attributes are unique to Him alone. For
example, in all of heaven and earth, God is the only one who is all-knowing,
all-powerful and is present everywhere. However, there are other attributes
which God, as a wonderful Father, shares with His children. Some of such
attributes are holiness, mercy, faithfulness and love. These attributes are
scarce in the character of present-day society. Just like the Corinthians in
the days of Paul, many homes, communities and churches nowadays are torn apart
by contentions, are divided along party lines and are envious of each other.
Such character proves that the love for God and love towards fellow man is
wanting. Love is paramount to God. Our numerous gifts and abilities are nothing
in the eyes of God without love.
“Beloved,
let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born
of God, and knoweth God.”
1st
John 4:7
Love should be differentiated from lust.
While lust is impatient to get, love is always eager to give. John 3:16
describes true love:
“For
God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever
believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
This is the kind of love God expects
from us. True love means have strong affection or deep tender feelings towards
God, towards yourself and towards others. It means to love the way God loves.
It implies knowing and worshipping God rightly, seeing yourself the way God
sees you and caring for others the way God cares for you. Without true love,
all gifts (however excellent) are useless in the eyes of God. A person who has
outstanding gift such as the divine ability to speak many languages, the gift
of prophecy and understanding all mysteries and knowledge, and the faith to
remove mountains is nothing without true love. In the like manner, sacrifice,
no matter how expensive, profits nothing without true love (1st
Corinthians 13:3).
Because true love is a commandment of
God (1st John 4:21), you need it in order to enjoy the blessings of
God (Isaiah 1:19). Know also that without demonstrating true love, it is
impossible to make heaven. True love is praised in 1st Corinthians
13:4-7. It is slow to anger and not predisposed to revenge. It is patient and
forbearing, good natured, gentle, tender and affectionate. True love is never
harsh or rude; it is polite and courteous. It is prompt in giving due respect
to superior and in showing respect for their opinions. True love is humble and
unselfish. It does not seek its own happiness to the injury of others. Do you
have true love?
Prayer point
Father, please grant me the grace to
demonstrate true love.
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