1 Corinthians 13:5 NIV
It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.
God is love and without him there is no love. Any kind of love apart from Him is a counterfeit from the enemy. This week we are unpacking love.
Love does not dishonor others. That’s a heavy statement when you think about it especially in this generation where it’s every man for himself. To dishonor is to bring shame or disgrace on someone. Love that is from God does not do that. Note that it is not dependant on the actions of the other individual. I am reminded of the woman who was caught in the very act of adultery, when she was brought to Jesus He neither brought shame or disgrace on her, instead He forgave her and said “go and sin no more!”
Love is not selfish; it is not self-seeking but rather looks out for the good of the other. Can you imagine how great our marriages would be if all concerned parties looked out for the good of their spouses? That’s how it was meant to be. The sad reality is that relationships are shipwrecked mainly because we become self-seeking and in the process we dishonor others through our words and actions. The relationship becomes about us and what we can get out of it. In the process focusing on self we neglect giving and our love becomes conditional.
Love is not easily angered meaning it is not driven by emotion. Love is able to stand its ground even when it is wronged and it is quick to forgive and keep no record of wrongs. No wonder Jesus was able to pray saying Father forgive them for they know not what they are doing. Even in his lowest moment he thought about those who were doing him harm and not himself, now that is genuine pure love that comes from the father.
Take out,
Love is amazing and it always looks out for the good of the ones it is projected to. It is not self-seeking.
Remember;
We are commanded to love one another.
