I Corinthians 13-15

Love is in the air… and the water…. and the pizza!

We Americans use the word love to describe almost anything we enjoy. I love hand-tossed Supreme pizzas. I love NCIS. I love Jamocha Almond Fudge ice cream. And I just love that outfit on you.

But Paul stops in the middle of his multi-chapter rebuke of the Corinthian church to paint an amazing picture of what true love looks like. The Corinthians were exhibiting anything but love – they were selfish, proud, impatient, elitists who focused their attention on themselves – not on others. Paul puts forth an image of a follower of Jesus that is much, much different than how they were behaving.

Love is patient – always used in reference to people, not circumstances, and even used to describe how God treats man. It describes someone who is wronged, who has the power to avenge, but chooses not to. Love never says “I’ve had enough”. Given up on anyone lately?

Love is kind – much of our Christian heritage shows we are good, but not necessarily kind. When’s the last time you not only gave something away or served someone, but did it slowly, intentionally, with a genuine interest in the individual you were helping? It’s hard to be kind when we practice “drive-by philanthropy”.

Love does not envy – this isn’t just a feeling that I wish I had what you do, but I wish you didn’t have it, either. I begrudge you your blessings, because I think I deserve them just as much (well, more, actually) than you do.

Love does not boast – the word describes one who struts around with their chest puffed out. While I might not blow my own horn loudly and frequently, do I talk about how humble and loving and serving I am, and hope someone rushes to agree?

Love is not arrogant - am I inflated with my own sense of self-importance? Napoleon once said, "I am not a man like other men. The laws of morality do not apply to me." I may not go that far, but do I look down on others around me? Do I just know I’m better than they are – and I try to hide my smirk while I mull it over?

Love is not rude – the same Greek word is used for both grace and charm, and this is its opposite. Am I graceful – or graceless? Am I blunt and brutal in my criticisms, or do I show others courtesy and tact?

Love does not insist on its own way – since this doesn’t apply to any of us (certainly not me), we’ll just skip it and move on (a-hem!).

Love is not irritable – provoked, easily angered, exasperated, flies off the handle, has a temper – sounds a bit like Peter, doesn’t it? Anybody else you know?

Love keeps no record of wrongs – an accounting term for making an entry in a ledger that will not be forgotten (“this is going on your permanent record”), it refers to storing up a memory so you throw it in someone’s elses face in the future. Do you have a bucket of these just waiting for the right time to bazooka a loved one?

Love does not rejoice at wrongdoing but rejoices with the truth – even when I don’t care much for the truth? When it hurts, or makes me look bad, or puts a spotlight on my sins and struggles?

Love bears all things – this is the word for “to put a roof over”. It’s not that I grudgingly carry around this heavy burden of all the injustices I’ve suffered, but rather hide them, never again to see the light of day.

Love believes all things – believing the best about people is tough, especially when you know them well (your family, for instance). Can I stop second-guessing their motives?

Love hopes all things – sees the possibilities instead of the faults in someone. Doesn’t crush or dash their aspirations, but speaks words of encouragement. Am I “realist”, placing undue barriers and restrictions on someone based on what I think they can accomplish?

Love endures all things – not just passive resignation, but triumphant conquering. Not with a too-loud murmur, but with a song of praise.

So, how well are you loving?

Trying to recognize I am well-loved more often, so I can love well more often, your brother,

Lee Thrasher
April 24