You are probably familiar with Paul’s description of love in I Corinthians 13:4-7. It’s everywhere, from weddings to home décor! Early in our marriage, Ashley and I heard a sermon that shifted how we thought about it. “Read the passage,” the minister said, “and every time you see ‘love’, replace it with your name.” Give it a try. Read this aloud, placing your name in each blank:
_______________ is patient and kind; _______________ does not envy or boast; _______________is not arrogant or rude. _______________does not insist on [their] own way; _______________ is not irritable or resentful; _______________ does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. _______________ bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
Some of those statements were fair descriptions of you. At least a few could probably use some work, though. Maybe you cracked a smile at “patient” – that’s one thing you’ve never been accused of – or felt a little sting at “irritable”, knowing you’re easily annoyed.
The world makes love a feeling – something fallen into and out of, something applied to everything from physical intimacy to enjoying ice cream. God shows us that love is an action we take, requiring a conscious choice and consistent effort. Love’s activities – patience, kindness, and the like – are not in response to the way someone else makes us feel. They are in response to our relationship with God, who is love (I John 4:7-8).
When something describes God’s love but not us, we have an opportunity to grow. Following Jesus means becoming a loving person. While that absolutely applies to our family interactions, it also applies to our tone in that work email. It shapes how we set our priorities, decide what to post on social media, and yes, even how we respond to pandemics. When I Corinthians 13 was originally written, it wasn’t for weddings but to resolve church in-fighting!
Love is more than a feeling: it is a choice we make every moment of every day. When it is our aim, we can have confidence no matter the circumstances because “love never ends.”
Ready for more? Check out The Mystery of Marriage on our sermon podcast page.