Good morning,
This week we will look at love from God’s perspective.
Valentine’s day promotes love between couples. It is relational and centered on the world’s system of love. Sometimes physical, sexual, and immoral. Gifts, flowers, candy, are all given to the one we love.
God’s love is different.
God is love. He demonstrates His love. He gives His love. He shows us examples of love. He explains that His love is opened to all. He defines love.
Join us this week as we explore the God of love.
GOD IS LOVE
3) Definition of God’s Love
Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. Charity never faileth: (1Corinthians 13:4-8a)
The following is a description of agape love, also called “charity” in the New Testament (1 Cor. 13). This paraphrase is based upon research of the Greek and English words and their meanings in 1 Cor. 13:4-8.
LOVE BEARETH ALL THINGS. God’s love makes it possible to withstand all stress and difficulty. Because God is love, He supports and carries on His own Person whatever is placed upon Him. God’s love protects, covers, and keeps off anything which threatens the benefit and welfare of another. God’s love holds back, refrains, and is tolerant and patient in all circumstances.
LOVE BELIEVETH ALL THINGS. God’s love puts faith in others, believing the best of everyone (without criticizing or looking for fault).
LOVE HOPETH ALL THINGS. God’s love persists in hoping, against all odds, in confidence and expectation of fulfillment of that which is promised.
LOVE ENDURETH ALL THINGS. God’s love causes one to carry on through, despite hardships.
LOVE NEVER FAILETH. God’s love never proves insufficient in duration or is unsuccessful in effectiveness. Love will never disappoint or prove undependable. God’s love goes on forever and will never come to an end.
These five descriptions of love set the bar really high.
We can bear all things through God’s love. Why? When we are in a situation of great distress, God is their also. When we cannot go on, God picks us up, encourages, and helps us.
Although we are not God, we are capable of helping others in their time of need.
God’s love sees the best in everyone. That should be our aim. Everyone has something positive. Why do we assume the negative? Look for best in each individual.
God’s love hopes and endures. We can do that because we know our God and His promises. We are expectantly awaiting the fulfillment of God’s promises. He has always been faithful and always will be. Have we told others about our hope? Do people know we are saved? Will we take our hope in Christ to others? That is the greatest gift of love anyone could receive.
God’s love never fails.
Credit due to: http://www.krowtracts.com/agape.html
Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com
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