Godly Love!

Today is marked on the calendar as "Valentine's Day". For people in good relationships it is marked by the exchange of cards, candy, flowers, perhaps a date night, or other special acknowledgments of the relationship. However, for those who are single or struggling in a relationship, the day may be despised. As we have noted over the past two days in considering the subject of "true love" ["Heart Specialists!" (02/12/2012) and "Left Out?" (02/13/2012)], we need to remember how much we are loved by God and that His idea of love is what we really need to come to understand.

The world says, "I love cake" and gobbles it up, getting fat in the process. Or there is a focus on loving some activity and self is poured into it for personal pleasure. Then even infatuation (or lust) is called love and the relationship is approached in a taking rather than GIVING manner. The great thing that marks the essence of the love of God is that it GIVES and GIVES and GIVES.

Paul provides the best and most concise description of the characteristics of this GIVING love in the well known passage written to the church at Corinth. In what has been referred to as "the love chapter" we read. . .

"(4) Love is PATIENT and KIND; love DOES NOT ENVY OR BOAST; it IS NOT ARROGANT (5) OR RUDE. It DOES NOT INSIST ON ITS OWN WAY; it IS NOT IRRITABLE OR RESENTFUL; (6) it DOES NOT REJOICE AT WRONGDOING, but REJOICES WITH THE TRUTH. (7) Love BEARS ALL THINGS, BELIEVES ALL THINGS, HOPES ALL THINGS, ENDURES ALL THINGS. (8) Love NEVER ENDS. . . . ." ( 1 Corinthians 13:4-8a)

That, my friends and brothers and sisters, is love! Yes, we have read those verses before. We have heard them recited many times. However, we must continue to keep them in mind and continue practicing this selfless GIVING love. Paul clearly noted its qualities, knowing it would serve to bring unity among the Christians at Corinth. This GIVING love has power to draw hearts and lives together, encourage, uplift, and even dynamically change lives. Hasn't God's love done that for us? May His love work through us to do the same.

Have a great day LOVING GOD'S WAY!
Carl

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