1 Corinthians 13:4-7
4 Love is patient, love is kind and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant, 5 does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered, 6 does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; 7 [b]bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
Confession. I have read this verse and seen where my loved ones were not patient with me and I felt unloved.
I have read these verses and recalled times when loved ones were jealous for what I perceived to be no good reason at all.
I have seen loved ones who brag to anyone who will listen, and wonder to myself, do they even know this reference is in the Bible?
Friend, I have witnessed arrogance too. Ugh, is anything more annoying?
Yes, I have also been embarrassed by a loved one's behavior. A few times.
You can be sure I have seen people seek what is best for them, sometimes not even best for them, but just what they want at the moment, not caring who gets left behind or even pushed out of the way.
And on down the list.
But one day I was stirred . . .
The Holy Spirit?
Um, I believe so . . .
What?, I questioned. Put myself there? Huh? Me? In the place of LOVE? Uh, well, I'm not so sure I want to do that . . .
Patient? Sure, I'm patient. So long as everyone has their things together so we can get out of the door on time. Sure, I'm patient. So long as there aren't too many interruptions and I can get things done in time to watch my TV shows.
Not provoked? I'm not too easily provoked. But, you know, if someone goes too far - that's kind of on them, isn't it?
Hm, maybe there are a few aspects of love I could work on.
Not taking into account of wrongs I've suffered . . . wow. What about you? Is this one you could work on too?
If Christ is in us - then Love is in us. Abundant Love.
Insert our name on the blank lines:
4 (_____) is patient, (_____) is kind and (_____) is not jealous; (_____) does not brag and (_____) is not arrogant, 5 (_____) does not act unbecomingly; (_____) does not seek (her) own, (_____) is not provoked, (_____) does not take into account a wrong suffered, 6 (_____) does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but (_____) rejoices with the truth; 7 [b](_____) bears all things, (_____) believes all things, (_____) hopes all things, (_____) endures all things.
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