* Love is long-suffering ~ It has the ability to put up with stuff for a long time.
Our modern “throw-away” society encourages us to get rid of people in our lives who are difficult to get along with, whether they are family, friends or acquaintances. This attitude runs in complete contrast to the love the Bible describes. True love puts up with people who would be easier to give up on.
* Love is kind, does not envy ~ It doesn’t want what it doesn’t have. If our love is directed toward others, we will rejoice in the blessings they receive rather than desiring those blessings for ourselves. It isn’t resentful of what other people have.
* Love is not puffed up ~ The selfless love that God calls us to does not involve pride or glory. It doesn’t call attention to itself, doesn’t think it’s better than other people. Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up.
* Love does not behave itself unseemly ~ Love acts right. It’s not conceited, arrogant or full of pride. Love is nor rude. If we can’t do anything else, the least we can do is practice some good manners. Like saying, Please…Thank you…I’m sorry…You go first…Excuse me…
* Love seeks not her own ~ If we truly love others, we will set aside our own plans, agendas, and entitlements for the good of another. We can decide not to be hard to get along with and to be the kind of person other people like spending time with.
* Love is not easily provoked ~ Love is not easily angered or over-sensitive. When we truly love others, we are careful not to be touchy concerning other people’s words or actions toward us.
* Love thinks no evil ~ Does not keep any record of wrongs. It probably causes people to be sick in their bodies and emotions. Forgiveness means that we wipe the slate clean and never hold things against people.
* Love rejoices not in iniquity but rejoices in truth ~ It does not boast about sin. Godly love has nothing to do with evil, but has everything to do with what is right and true.
* Love bears, believes, hopes and endures all things ~ Love puts up with anything and never gives up, knowing that God can change lives for the better.
* Love never fails ~ Love accepts any hardship or rejection, and continues unabated to build up and encourage.
Love is seen in our actions and our attitude. It doesn’t pout and make faces when it doesn’t get it’s own way. It is a behavior we choose to operate in because God has told us to do it. Love prefers other people by allowing them to go first, have the last or best of something…like the last piece of chocolate in the box.
To know what love is we have to look at God because God is love. We need to look at Jesus as our example because He’s a perfect representation of God. (1 John 4:8; John 14:9). To see what love looks like, we need to look at how Jesus lived, how He acted when people come against Him, and how He behaved during trials.
While we may “feel” love for others, we must “show” love if others are to feel it.
Like clothing, we put on love. (Colossians 3:12) When we do, we’re honoring and glorifying God.
Let me start my work in faith, continue in obedience and finish with love.
