Dr. Bill Winston continued his series, "The Power of Love". This installment was entitled, "Know them by their love".
Love is more than a feeling! It's easy to see this fact in our society, with people falling in and out of love. Love is not a feeling, Love is a person. 1 John 4:8 says, "God is Love."
So if God is Love and we are the people of God, our lives should represent love. But if Love is not a feeling, what is Love? Glad you asked. 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 holds the answer to this important question.
Love is patient - WOW! Love is patient! Even with unruly, impatient, and unlearned individuals.
Love is kind - Love speaks kind words and lives a life full of kindness.
Love isn’t envious - Love is happy and grateful for the things it has. Love trusts that God will give them the desires of their heart, so there is no need to envy what others possess.
Love doesn’t boast, brag, or strut about - Love is thoughtful and even if Love has a reason to toot their own horn they choose not to, in order to build up others.
There’s no arrogance in love - Love does not deal in pride. Love does not think or act as though they are smarter, or wiser than others or God. Love beleives the Word and trusts God.
It’s never rude, crude, or indecent - this one needs no explanation. Or does it?
It’s not self-absorbed - Pride is self-centered. Humility is God-centered. James 4:6 says, "It’s common knowledge that “God goes against the willful proud; God gives grace to the willing humble.”
Love isn’t easily upset - Love does not wear their heart on their sleeve.
Love doesn’t tally wrongs or celebrate injustice; but truth—yes, truth—is love’s delight!
Love puts up with anything and everything that comes along; it trusts, hopes, and endures no matter what.
Love will never become obsolete. Now as for the prophetic gifts, they will not last; unknown languages will become silent, and the gift of knowledge will no longer be needed.
Faith works by Love. Love is not easy, but it promises great rewards!
"We know that those who have been born from God don’t go on sinning. Rather, the Son of God protects them, and the evil one can’t harm them." - 1 John 5:18 (God's Word Translation)
Love and prayers, Cynthia
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