Living in Love

Play the video Love in Any Language.

We know that love is spoken in many different ways. We heard at least five different ways in this video. We have already seen in the first part of 1 Corinthians 13, however, that no matter what eloquent words are spoke, if their actions are not done in love, they are nothing. So how do we come to the point where we practice what we say? How do we learn to live, on a daily basis, each moment, in love? Again, God’s Word has exactly what we need to know and what we need to do. 1 Corinthians 13 :4-7

1 Corinthians 13:4–7 NIV84

4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

I found it interesting that these words are used as both adjectives and used as verbs. As adjectives, it shows that love is timelessly. As verbs, they it shows that love is an element of action. Both as adjectives and as verbs, love has an emphasis on character. So, I ask again, how do we come to the point where we practice what we say? Again, it is right here in God’s Word.

Four verses, four different ways to help you and me to carry out living in love.

The Practice of Love (vs. 4)

The first thing we see here is the practice of love.

1 Corinthians 13:4 NIV84

4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.

“Love is a consistent attitude of personal humility and devotion to the good of others.” I found that quote in my Disciple’s Study Bible. One consistent part of that attitude is being patient. Notice the discipline of being patient.

The Discipline of Being Patient

There is a discipline in being patient. Proverbs 14:29

Proverbs 14:29 NIV84

29 A patient man has great understanding, but a quick-tempered man displays folly.

When you love God’s way, you will be patient because His word says “Love is patient.” Is it a coincidence that love is patient is listed first? I do not think it is! Love is being patient with people. It is a characteristic of God.

2 Peter 3:9 NIV84

9 The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.

Patience is a God-like quality. The word patient means to be of a long spirit and not to lose heart. On a scale of one to ten, how patient you? Whatever your patience level is, it will determine the rest of these descriptions!

The practice of love provides the determination of being kind.

The Determination of Being Kind

Love is kind. Again, this is a choice. Interestingly, when Greek scholars look at the word in this passage we translate to kind, the find a word that is used no where else in the New Testament. Some believe that Paul developed this word chresteuomai /khraste·yoo·om·ahee, which combines the meaning of kind and good into one word. Paul was Roman citizen and could speak Greek proficiently. However, Paul was raised as a Jew and so he would think with a Hebrew thought pattern. In other words, he would think through the traditions of Old Testament covenant filtered with his encounter with Jesus. So when the Greek words weren’t just right, he would create one! The Greeks would never associate a word of lovingkindness and goodness with God. Their concept of any kind of deity would never show their gods being loving, good or kind. When Paul tries to associate love with God, he makes up a word that is related to a Hebrew concept of lovingkindness. The Hebrew concept of lovingkindness is found in the Hebrew word hesed. It is actually an attribute of God.

An example is found in Exodus 34:6

Exodus 34:6 NIV84

6 And he passed in front of Moses, proclaiming, “The Lord, the Lord, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness,

Theologian Dr. Skip Moen writes, “Hesed is a declaration of who God is!  Because it is essential to the character of God, hesed is an expression of the truth about love.  It is coupled with words that mean “mercy” and “faithful”, both expressions of God’s unfailing love.”

Paul is saying here that we should do the same and loving through this kindness reflect the character of God. God demonstrates kindness as part of His character without partiality.  God is kind even to the ungrateful.  In the New Testament, variations of this same word are used in I Peter 2:3 to talk about tasting the kindness of God:

1 Peter 2:3 NIV84

3 now that you have tasted that the Lord is good.

and in Matt. 11:30 where Jesus says that his yoke is “easy” – literally pleasant or kind.

Matthew 11:30 NIV84

30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

Paul may have coined the word in Greek, but he has in mind a Hebrew concept that richly come from the thoughts of God’s chosen race.

When we think of kindness we think often of getting some type of gift. However, the concept here is to focus on the giver instead of the gift. In this passage, instead of focusing on the symbol of a gift we should focus on the character of the giver. Love is kind. It is something we must determine or choose. “Love is kind” is not an expression of activity.  It is a completely automatic result of reflecting God’s character in my life.  If God is in my roots, I cannot help but be kind.

The Desire Without Envy

We also see the desire without envy. It does not envy. Some translations say love is not jealous. Love is not displeased at the success of others. One may admire another for something that person is or has, and he may desire many of the same good things for himself. Jealousy and envy begin when admiration and desire turn to resentment of others for what they have. Jealousy and envy are the beginning points of the terrible actions of this world. Again the model of Christ is Philippians 2:3-8

Philippians 2:3–8 (NIV84)

3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. 4 Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.

5 Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus:

6 Who, being in very nature God,

did not consider equality with God something to be grasped,

7 but made himself nothing,

taking the very nature of a servant,

being made in human likeness.

8 And being found in appearance as a man,

he humbled himself

and became obedient to death—

even death on a cross!

We see dedication but without boasting.

The Dedication Without Boasting

Love does not boast. Love is concerned to give itself, not assert self. Have you ever talked with someone that is quick to brag all the good they have done? This is the person that is always patting themself on the back. Love doesn’t do that. When we boast, we are actually making ourselves become an idol in that we are focusing all own us instead of focusing on the one that gave our all our abilities. Are you boastful and proud? What would happen in our world if this was kept in check?

Sometimes we need to be reminded of the purpose of love.

The Purpose of Love (vs. 5)

1 Corinthians 13:5 NIV84

5 It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.

The Purpose Apart From Being Rude

We should have purpose apart from being rude. Love is not anything that is disgraceful or dishonoring. The other aspects of love we have see so far are about our character reflecting who God is. Now we see a shift from our character to not being a character. We don’t need to act stupid. Your actions will always speak louder than your words. Proverbs 20:11

Proverbs 20:11 (NIV84)

11 Even a child is known by his actions,

by whether his conduct is pure and right.

The Purpose Apart From Being Self-Seeking

We should have purpose apart from being self-seeking. Our love should not seek out its own things. What is the motive for your love? If it is self-seeking, then it will be easily angered.

The Purpose Apart From Being Easily Angered

The purpose of love is apart from being easily angered. Love is not touchy. There is a place for anger especially when it is against evil. Love cannot alter the fact that one gets on your nerves, but it can rule out allowing my to be provoked by their actions. Proverbs 29:11

Proverbs 29:11 (NIV84)

11 A fool gives full vent to his anger,

but a wise man keeps himself under control.

The Purpose Apart From Keeping an Account of Wrong Doing

Love has purpose apart from keeping an account of wrong doing. It keeps no record of wrong. Love keeps no account of evil. For example, what if you did something to me and realized it was wrong, so you apologized. I say, “I forgive you.” A week later, it happened again. You come back to me, apologize to me again. This time “I say, I forgive you again.” The problem, here is that if I use the word again, I am guilty of having a record of wrong. If I love you, I will not keep a record of wrong doing.

That is the power of love!

The Power of Love (vs. 6)

1 Corinthians 13:6 NIV84

6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.

Focuses on Truth

Love focuses on truth. If you go to a court, you are sworn in, “Do you swear to tell the truth, the whole truth, so help you God.” When you do love God’s way, you will focus on God’s truth. Psalm 25:5

Psalm 25:5 (NLT)

5 Lead me by your truth and teach me,

for you are the God who saves me.

All day long I put my hope in you.

Love focuses on God’s truth.

Fights for Truth

Love also fights for truth. 2 Corinthians 13:8

2 Corinthians 13:8 NIV84

8 For we cannot do anything against the truth, but only for the truth.

Finishes with Truth

Love also finishes with truth. 2 John 2

2 John 2 NIV84

2 because of the truth, which lives in us and will be with us forever:

If I love biblically, I am focused on truth, I am fighting for truth, and I am finishing with truth. There is no other way! As I develop my character of love, I ultimately can live out the promise of love.

The Promise of Love (vs. 7)

1 Corinthians 13:7 NIV84

7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

Love Protects

Love protects. It covers over is what that means. “Love conceals what is displeasing in another and does not drag it out into the pitiless light of public scrutiny.” - Leon Morris

Love protects and always points to the best.

Love Trusts

This is another way of saying, “Love trusts.” It is not gullible but does not think the worst.

Love Hopes

Love hopes and retains faith. Love points forward and onward. It does not take failure as final. One writer said it this way, “It is the confidence that looks to ultimate triumph by the grace of God.”

And that means, love always perseveres.

Love Perseveres

Persevere includes the thought of steadfastness. It is active, positive fortitude. Love is not overwhelmed. Love plays its part and keeps on playing, whatever the difficulties.

You may have heard me say this over the years. I must love as I have been loved. Which also means, that I have to forgive as I have been forgiven.

How are you doing with that?

Our world needs love. Our world needs Jesus. Wherever love seems to be failing, Jesus is the answer.