Love that Lasts
Today is Valentine’s day. A time where we recognize our love for that special person in our life. People will go to great lengths and expense to show their love. The sad thing is that if this is one of the few days of the year that we prove our love, then it won’t mean very much. We need to develop a love that lasts.
1 Corinthians 13:4-7
Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful;[ it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
Planted by Christ
1 Corinthians 13 has been used in greeting cards since the beginning. This passage of scripture expresses what so many people feel in their hearts for that special person in their life. The Apostle Paul meant this passage to describe a real love that each Christian should have for one another. The Corinthians were a loveless and selfish church. They needed to be reminded that when Christ is in us that this kind of love should be growing in us.
Put It Into Practice
How do we cultivate a love that lasts? First, it starts with the Holy Spirit doing a work inside of us. This begins when we believe in Jesus Christ and continues as walk with him. It also grows as we do it. No one is an expert in showing love until we have done it for a while. Love also has to experience some resistance to strengthen it. Love has to learn patience. It also has to learn how to be humble, not rude or jealous. A love that lasts is sacrificial. It thinks of the other person first. Finally, love has to be committed for the long haul. This is a love that lasts through all of the challenges. Put it into practice today.