“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, 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…” (I Cor. 13:4-8 NIV1984).
A few weeks ago, I wrote about God’s unfailing love, which is steadfast, unchangeable, unconditional and irrefutable. In the above verses, someone suggested putting Jesus’ name before each characteristic because He is all those things. Here, however, Paul was writing to the Corinthians who were arguing over spiritual gifts, pointing out to them that there was a more excellent way — God’s love. Without it, anything done for Him is meaningless.
Exhibiting these same qualities is God’s plan for us. They provide evidence to the world that we have a personal relationship with Christ. Focusing on each of these characteristics, we often fall short. The closer we are to God, however, the more we will strive to emulate Him and correct those things that are lacking in our lives.
Upon salvation, we are given a new identity in Christ. “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!” (II Cor. 5:17). Our desires and priorities become different. We want to live a holy and righteous life. “Just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: ‘Be holy, because I am holy” (I Peter 1:15-16).
We take on these characteristics as we live by the Spirit. The evidence is shown in Gal. 5:22-26: “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.” Love never fails.
The world’s love is the exact opposite of these godly traits. Paul describes it this way: “The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity, and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like…” (Gal. 5:19-21).What a difference there is between living by the Spirit and living by the world’s standards!
We may slip up from time to time, but conviction will get us back on track. As we strive to live like Him, the world will take notice. Many people may laugh and think we are foolish, but others may desire to know what makes us different. To realize others are observing us should make us more diligent about our actions.
God’s love never fails, and ours won’t either if we imitate Him. Paul said this: “If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others” (Phil. 2:1-4).
“Now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love” (I Cor. 13:13). Love never fails.
