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.
-- 1 Corinthians 13:4-8
I grew up hearing and seeing this verse all of the time, whether it be at a wedding, in church, or on some social media website. In my life, this has always been one of those reassuring verses that I loved to remember. I mean, who doesn't love love?
I recently watched one of Andy Stanley's videos that talked about Love, Sex and Dating, which is also the title to one of his books. Whether you are fifteen and single or seventy and married, this book is great for all kinds of relationships. In the particular video that I was watching, he broke down this verse. Andy Stanley talked about how we are truly called to love in a relationship. And I am by no means qualified to give advice on how to love in your relationships, but God doesn't call the qualified does He?
Love is patient. Think about a relationship that you may be involved with... It may be with your boyfriend, girlfriend, husband, wife, mother, father, etc.. In any relationship, we are called to love with patience. This means that love is never pushy or pressed.
Love is kind. Jesus calls us to love with kindness and consideration. We must keep into consideration the feelings of the person we are in a relationship with. Whether the date went badly or you are going through a breakup, there is never an excuse not to be kind and considerate.
Love does not envy. This is a big one. When we get caught up in a relationship by envying one another, we become bitter. An envious relationship causes us to become bound in bitterness towards our partner or friend. We have to let the other person in our relationships blossom, instead of tearing them down.
Love is not self-seeking. We, as Christians, are not called to seek love for the good of man, but for the glory of God. Through our relationships in this world, we must seek relationships that bring glory to Him. We must engage in relationships that advance us towards Jesus daily.
Love never fails. This part is more self-explanatory. God never fails us. We may have a plan in our mind, but God has the master plan. He will not set us on a path for failure. He will meet us right where we are in this crazy life and love us for who we are. How great is that? A God that is so mighty and glorious loves us more than we can fathom.
