Who is God Anyway? Part 4 - What is Love?

Originally posted: WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 30, 2008

What is Love? - Part 4

Continuing with the breakdown of 1 Corinthians 13 ;

V2: 2nd verse same as the first.

v3: Regardless of the things I do; whether giving to the poor, serving the needy, even surrendering my life unto death, if I do any of these things without understanding and knowing Gods' love in me (which requires loving Him as He loves us) these things will achieve nothing and in the end be pointless. Loving Him as He loves us requires us to live according to the God-kind of love.

v4: This verse starts describing the God-kind of love. It states that love is long-suffering, in other words it puts up with a lot and doesn't get upset easily. Love is patient and kind (these are self-explanatory). Love doesn't envy or get jealous, which means that we don't live wanting what we don't have and are content in every situation (also see Philippians 4:11-13).

Finally love doesn't show-off! Love doesn't make everything about itself, it does not need to be the centre of attention and be boastful about things that have been accomplished. All these attributes should be displayed by someone who is living with Gods' love. Living with an outward focused nature.

V5: Describes the grace associated with love. It shows again that love is considerate of others and not wanting to promote itself, particularly over others. This verse describes love as not being selfish and seeking its own desires and wants, and that someone displaying this kind of love would not get upset easily but extend grace where needed (one characteristic of God is that He is slow to anger - Psalm 86:15).

One of the most important things in this verse, I believe, is the last definition of love, which basically says that it keeps no account of any wrong done to it. Someone exhibiting the God-kind of love immediately forgives and moves on from any wrong done to them so that God can do like-wise (Mark 11:25).

So the next time someone does something that upsets you or deliberately harms you, don't hold a grudge, let it go, forgive them and move on. This will ensure that you do not become bitter and resentful and may even shock the other person, who might end up asking why you are being so gracious, which will result in a testimony of your faith.

V6: Love seeks justice and is glad when justice can be found. Love also doesn't seek pay-back or retribution.

V7: Love is prepared to believe the best in everyone, to seek out the gold within someone and look past any imperfections or attitudes. Love is willing to go to the ends of the earth for a person, to believe in them regardless of where they have come from or what they have done in the past.

Love puts up with ANYTHING. It puts up with any mistreatment, wrong-doing and any abuse (etc.) and continues to love. However, the discernment of the Holy Spirit in such circumstances will advise you if the relationship is doing more harm than good (this is a completely different topic and may be covered somewhere down the track).

Gosh! These few verses give an insight into the true nature of God by expounding on the definition of love. This type of attitude towards others and living with this type of love, can at times seem like an overwhelming thing to live up to.

BUT as you continue to love God His likeness rubs off on you and the more you CHOOSE to live this way and ignore your own 'feelings' or 'flesh' (Matt 16:24) the better life you will lead, but more importantly the more people you will point to God as you will truly resemble Him.

Next time I will finish off the rest of this Chapter and the description of love. I'm hoping that this is challenging you to live BIGGER and more in tune with Gods nature, to be true "living epistles".