Love Those Verses

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. 1 Corinthians 13:4-8

As we celebrate Valentine’s Day this week, I wanted to look at some of the verses in the love chapter of the Bible, 1 Corinthians 13. These verses are wonderful for us to aspire to. Lest we become discouraged of ever being able to live up to the standard that God gives us in these verses, however, I wanted to take a look at what these verses could look like in the real nitty-gritty details of life. I know that we all have times where we fail in trying to keep this high standard of love; after all, Jesus was the only One who ever loved completely unselfishly, but let’s look at some possible ways we could live out each verse.

Love is patient, love is kind.

• I will keep my voice in a kind tone when disciplining my children.
• I will not talk in a sarcastic manner to my spouse.
• I will listen with my full attention.

Love does not envy, does not boast, is not proud.

• I will be content with my house, with my furniture, with my clothes.
• I will not boast about all my children’s latest accomplishments to everyone within hearing.
• I will try to maintain a humble spirit when I do get something new or take that next vacation.
• I will regularly count my blessings.

 Love is not rude; it is not self-seeking.

• I will control my temper when I am driving.
• I will be courteous to slow checkout-lane clerks.
• I will wait my turn in the exit lanes of the highway and not speed up, hoping to wedge myself in at the last second so that I don’t have to wait in the long exit line.

 Love is not easily angered; it keeps no record of wrongs.

• If my spouse responds crankily to me, I will attempt to keep my temper.
• I will not remember everything my spouse or children have ever done to hurt me. I will not hold grudges. What if God did this to me?
• I will strive to have a good relationship with my in-laws.

Love does not delight in evil, but rejoices with the truth.

• I will speak the truth in love to my family and remember to show them the same grace that I would want extended to myself.
• I will be truthful in my conduct at work, including how I spend my time there. Am I wasting time on Facebook or personal e-mail?

Love always protects, always trusts,always hopes, always perseveres.

• I will choose the decision that aligns itself with God’s word. I will remember to honor my family and not speak badly about them.
• I will not lose hope in God’s ability to work in every situation with myself, my family and my friends.
• I will persevere in prayer.
•  I will remember that God loves me.

Love never fails.

• God’s love never fails. SO, I will extend grace to others and myself when people fail and disappoint me, or when I disappoint myself.

Do any of these verses speak to your heart? What are some ideas you could share with us on living out the love verses from I Corinthians 13?

Happy Valentine’s Day, and pray on!

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