A Small Four Letter Word
Love.
When you think about the word love, what’s the first thing that runs through your mind? Is it your spouse? Your kid(s)? Your favorite food, sports team, or activity? These are things in life we may associate with the word love, but think harder. When you think about love on a deeper level, is it a feeling, a response, or an action? None of these thoughts on love are wrong, but what I’d like us to think about today is centered more on what love is and does. While the feeling of love that swells up inside of us may be the starting point, love is so much more than that. With this in mind, let’s jump into Scripture to see what it has to say about love.
Love Does
In 1 Corinthians 13, Paul looks at love from a different perspective than we typically would. He starts this chapter by giving examples of the importance of love in all we do. He states that if we can speak in the tongues of men or angels, but don’t have love, we’re like a clanging cymbal, just making noise. He goes further to say that if we have the gift of prophecy and are filled with knowledge but don’t have love, we’re empty. Even further, if we go out and serve, giving to the poor and sharing it with others, but don’t have love, we’ve gained nothing. Paul’s point is that when we do these things without love, we’re simply doing them to boost ourselves. True love is not about boasting. It’s not about getting praise for its action, it’s much more than that, and it’s the direction Paul goes as he transitions into what love is and does.
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
1 Corinthians 13:4-7
Looking through those verses, some key characteristics of love stand out that we can focus on implementing in our own lives. I don’t want to dive too far into any one characteristic; instead, let’s take a quick look at each in Scripture and what it can mean in our own lives.
Patient
In Romans 2:4, Paul describes God as kind, forbearing, and patient when he is waiting for us to repent and turn back to Him. How can you show patience more to the people you care about?
Kind
Ephesians 2:6-7 states that God shows the immeasurable riches of His grace and kindness towards us in Christ Jesus by raising us from death to life through faith in Him. Not only that, but He did so in the midst of our transgressions. When you feel slighted or hurt, how can you show kindness instead of lashing out?
Humble
Philippians 2:1-11 is a beautiful picture of what it means to be humble. Jesus was our perfect example, and the simplicity of Paul’s words is something we should all strive for. Do nothing out of selfish ambition instead, in humility, value others above yourselves (Philippians 2:3).
Sacrificial
If Jesus is our example, then Mark 10:45 is a wonderful example that even the Son of Man came not to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many. Jesus’ example shows us that sacrificial love sets aside selfish desires to serve others. Is there a way you can show this type of love to someone?
Rejoices in Truth
When Paul wrote this, it came from an understanding of the struggles of many in Corinth with idolatry and sexual immorality. His message was that God’s love does not delight in sin; on the contrary, it finds joy in truth. That truth can only be found through connection with Him because God is love (1 John 4:8). Are you spending more time delighting in the world, or are you like the Psalmist who delights in the law of the Lord, meditating on it day and night (Psalm 1:1-2)? How can you connect with Him translate into your relationships?
Calm
Psalm 86:15 tells us that God is slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. James also reminds us to be quick to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger. We can’t show love to those around us if we have a short fuse and react in anger. What can you do to help you defuse your anger when upset?
Forgiving
As Paul says, love keeps no records of wrong. It’s not to say that we can wipe the thoughts from our minds, but that we shouldn’t hold those wrongs against others. Colossians 3:13-14 sums it up beautifully, "Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.”
Protects
As a husband and parent, one of my greatest responsibilities is to protect my wife and children. This can come from physical, mental, emotional, or even spiritual perspectives. Proverbs 10:12 says Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all offenses. Regardless of how I feel I may be wronged or what my family may have done to upset me, my love for them far outweighs it. If you’ve allowed your frustration to overtake your love, take the time to talk with them. Forgive them and ask how you can do better.
Trusts
This one tends to speak for itself. When we love people, we should trust them. True love is not constantly searching for mistruths, flaws, or skeletons in the closet. Instead, it is gracious and forgiving. I love this description found on GotQuestions.org:
“If brothers and sisters in Christ would believe in one another, setting suspicion aside and extending unconditional love, what a difference it would make in the church! When our focus is on Christ, we can show His love to meet the needs of others.”
Hopes
Earlier, I pointed out that 1 John 4:8 says God is love. In the same vein, Paul points out to Timothy that Jesus is our hope (1 Timothy 1:1). Not only that, but those who have put their faith in Christ and await His return do so with hope. Our love for the people in our lives should be centered on our hope for them to know Christ as their Savior as much as anything else. Not only that, but our hope is for them to be their best in all they do. Are your words and actions encouraging this in them or pushing them away from it?
Perseveres
This last one is the perfect transition. If love is centered on hope in Christ, then perseverance is everything. True love never gives up. Just like God doesn’t give up on us, we cannot give up on those around us.
Patient, kind, humble, sacrificial, rejoice in truth, calm, forgiving, protect, trust, hopes, perseveres
Tying it All Together
As you’ve read through to this point, you may be wondering what all of this has to do with the Christmas story. The fact is, the entire idea of love is what the Christmas story is all about. God loved us so much that at the perfect time, He sent His one and only son, Jesus, to do what we never could on our own. He humbled Himself, not counting His equality with God something to be grasped, and came to earth, born of a virgin, in the town of Bethlehem, not for fortune or fame, but for the purpose of being the ultimate sacrifice. He would live the perfect life and fulfill the prophecies laid out over thousands of years, and then, as He hung dying on a cross meant for you and me, His love would continue to pour out in His words. Forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing (Luke 23:34).
Why?
Because He loves us. Because He longs to be in relationship with us. As we take the time to reflect on the birth of Jesus and all it means, not just in this season but in every aspect of our life, it’s a reminder that we are called to extend the same type of sacrificial love that God has extended to us, to everyone around us. Love that is patient, kind, humble, sacrificial, rejoicing in truth, slow to anger, keeping no record of wrongs, as it protects, trusts, hopes, and perseveres. It’s not easy, but fortunately for us, we have the perfect Savior to look towards.
