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 Corintians 13:1-8a (NIV)

Have you every stopped to think about why 1 Corinthians 13, the love scripture, was written?  Well, the Christians in Corinth had trouble getting along, and Paul wanted them to understand their value to one another so they might work together more effectively. It matches with God’s call to all of us even today—that we have unity amongst the brethren as we are on one accord with Him. Yet, as the Corinthian Christians struggled to get along, Paul had to play the Love Card!  Paul had to remind them to love one another! Paul had to teach them that they needed to show one another the kind of love God showed them—an unconditional, undeserved, unending love!  God is still showing us this kind of love today, and we are under the same kind of call to love one another!

Those of us who are in any kind of relationship—whether it’s a friendship, a co-worker, a neighbor, a romantic interest, or a spouse—know that love and showing love towards one another takes work!  As 1 Corinthians explains, love is patient and kind, it honors, it rejoices, it protects, and it forgives.  Whew!  Obviously, this takes work and it is not easy!  But, neither was the cross!  None of Jesus’ experiences leading up to the cross was easy!

Christ’s suffering and death on the cross reveal the true nature of God’s love for us.  As Romans 5:10 reminds us , Jesus paid the price for our sins before we even thought about salvation! The power of love is all wrapped up in the power of the resurrection, and through this sacrificial demonstration of love, God gave us all the opportunity to share this power with others! 

The power of love is redemptive!  The power of love is reconciliatory!  The power of love protects!  The power of love honors!  Oh, the power of love is awesome!  The power of love is a gift that keeps on giving!  AND IT NEVER FAILS!  Praise God!  As 1 Corinthians 13:7 says, “It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.”

When we have nothing else to give—no flowers or expensive trinkets…when we have no great abilities to share—like preaching or some other powerful talent or skill…we all have this one thing we can give, and that is love!  My prayer today is that everyone of us thinks on these scriptures and allows the gifts of love to flow freely through us from here on out!  We are called to love one another, my brothers and sisters.  There is perhaps no greater fuel for ministering to the total man than love!  Let this spur each of us on towards the ministry work before us at this time.  By the way, I love you! 

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