1 Corinthians 13:1-3 NIV
If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.
This is agape love. It’s not your typical love of icecream or your love for your brother, but rather its an unconditional love that is beyond just a feeling. It is an action. Certain things have a look of Christian to us, but if they are done without love then they are worthless. We must be sure to have right motive in our service. When we do for others let it be from love and not just sense of duty or just so others see you.
James 1:27 (New International Version, ©2011)
27 Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.
This is one of many verses that tell us the desire of God in and through our lives. Do you do this just to check it off your list? Do you help others just because you are told to? How bout following how the Bible says to treat your spouse? Can u do that in a Godly manner without love? Nor can the rest of your actions for the advancement of the kingdom be done without love.
1 Corinthians 13:4-7 NIV
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, 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.
It always perseveres. It is long suffering. That means that if it is truly unconditional, it doesntly suddenly cease when times get tough and the situation doesn't fit into your plan/schedule. We sometimes have to suffer in loving others. This is part of it. Its a hard thing to accept but it is indeed part of the whole walking with Jesus thing. When you cane to salvation and confessed Jesus as Lord and repented of your sins, you accepted God's unconditional love. You also signed up to learn how to love others in the same manner that God loved you.
1 Corinthians 13:8-13 NIV
Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when completeness comes, what is in part disappears. When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me. For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.
Don't argue about your spiritual gifts. Stop quarrelling among yourselves. The unbelievers see your action amongst yourselves and this is not a loving action. Love God and love your neighbor. Let your actions be motivated by this.
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