September 17 Do I Really Love You? 1 Corinthians 13:1-8
Good morning from Pastor Glen Brock, Baptist Tabernacle Church, Wendell, North Carolina… “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. 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. 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.” (1 Corinthians 13:1-8)
There may be days that you don’t "feel" like loving your spouse or your friends or your neighbors. God’s Word does not spell love, F-e-e-l-i-n-g-s, but rather C-O-M-M-I-T-M-E-N-T. Let’s look at what Paul describes as true, lasting love.
Paul Said that “Love Never Gives Up!” Love is patient! Patient to endure misfortunes with confidence and endurance. Patient to bear wrongs done to us and not be quick to retaliate when we are wronged. Paul Said that “Love Cares More For Others Than For Self.” Folks, we are to kind to one another! Kindness strives to make the other person happy. Kindness strives to assist others in need. Paul Said that “Love Doesn’t Want What It Doesn’t Have!” Being jealous of one another is not edifying to the Body of Christ. Jealousy leads to suspicion. Jealousy leads to fear. Jealousy leads to competition. Jealously leads to sin! Paul Said that “Love Doesn’t Show Off!” Have you ever met someone who was a “boaster” or “show-off?” Boasting flows from pride. Boasting flows from conceit. Boasting will make me not want to be around you! Paul Said that “Love Doesn’t Have An Inflated Ego!” Arrogance inflates our ego. Arrogance blows our own whistle. Arrogance creates a barrier between those that you need to share Jesus with and shuts down opportunities!
Arrogance comes from pride and pride stifles your witness of LOVE! Paul Said that “Love Doesn’t Force Itself On Others!” In a feeble and judgmental attempt to tell someone about Jesus, my friend would condemn the person and would be “down right” rude! I asked him, “Are you sharing the Love of Jesus or the “rules according to Kenny?” Paul Said that “Love Is Never “Me First!” Selfishness is demanding. Selfishness is thinking about “me.” Selfishness is seeking glory for me! Paul Said that “Love Doesn’t Fly Off The Handle.” That same friend that I mentioned earlier, would be confrontational with folks and he would provoke folks. It seemed that his arrogance and his judgmental attitude was designed to irritate versus share Jesus. Paul Said that “Love Doesn’t Keep Score Of The Sins Of Others!” How is it that I can see the wrongs in your life, yet, can’t see the mess that I have made? Keeping Score, places others in bondage from our human judgment. Keeping Score weighs others down. Keeping score does not enhance the Love of God! Paul Said that “Love Takes No Delight In Sin and Love Longs For The Truth and Love Seeks To Protect and Love Is Faithful and Love Always Looks For The Best in others and Love Never Looks Back and Love Keeps Going To The End!! Our world needs a large dose of God’s Love! Make a difference, right where you are! Embrace the characteristics of God’s Love and share, share, share! May we take seriously the responsibility to keep others from experiencing the misery of HELL! We are called to love others as Jesus loves us! Simply Put…JUST DO IT! What God does with you depends on you! It always has and it always will!! Stay Strong, Stay Focused….Remember, THE BEST IS YET TO BE!