| What is so different about the kind of love Paul is speaking of? To answer that question Paul lists 15 characteristics of love in verses 4-7. Put them together and they make a wonderful picture of Jesus Christ. Place the name 'Christ' wherever Paul uses the word love and you will see this picture of Christ. This will bring home to you the fact that you will only be able to show the kind of love Paul talks about here as Christ lives out his life in you and through you. (In some older versions of the Bible you will find 'charity' instead of 'love'. 'Charity' is an old English word for 'love'.) Notice verse 4. Love is patient. This means love is patient with people. It isn't always easy, especially if you are quick by nature and others around you are slow. We could say, being patient is lovingly putting up with others who are disagreeable. Love is kind. You can be patient yet not be kind. Patience may sit doing nothing while kindness is active helping someone. Kindness is a wonderful witness for Christ. Paul adds that love is not jealous. Love is happy to share. It is not boastful. It does not want to draw attention to itself. Love has good manners and does not insist on its own way. Love is not irritable; it is not quick-tempered. There is no sin that can so quickly destroy harmony in a home or in a church as the sin of quick temper, which has never been brought under the control of Christ. Love has an amazing power to forget when it has been wronged. Often people say, 'I'll never forget what they have done to me'. Love never says that. Love forgives. Go carefully through this chapter and look at each word Paul uses concerning love. Then ask if that quality is present in your own heart and life. Remember Christ is the one who alone can bring about that kind of love in you. A PRAYER: 'Lord, help me to love someone today whom I have never loved before.' | 
沒有留言:
張貼留言