How Love Behaves

How Love Behaves 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 January 6, 2019 Spiritual Truth for Approaching 1 Corinthians 13: This perfectly describes our Lord Jesus. § § “patient” – doesn’t respond to wrongs quickly “kind” – seeking the need in others and then trying to meet that need even in the face of unfair treatment THE BIG IDEA: Rather than being a comforting and “soft” chapter of the Bible, 1 Corinthians 13 is a call to a radical expression of the love of God toward all people. Love is not sentimentality, but clear-minded choices to act in particular ways in all circumstances. § § with or want what we have § 4 Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant 5 or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; 6 it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. 7 Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. “Agape”: the unique and particular love demonstrated by God toward us and commanded for Christ’s disciples. It is most perfectly demonstrated on the Cross. Among people, it is the commitment to the good of the loved and willingness to forfeit one’s own rights and privileges to pursue the welfare of the other. John 13:35 Summary: The most extravagant displays of spiritual giftedness is worthless if you are devoid of love. This flies in the face of those who measured spiritual strength and value to the church by which gift you had. Digging down into the grammar: Paul’s choice in describing love is 15 present tense verbs, which have no exact English counterparts, since we use adjectives and adverbs to describe love and its characteristics. The take-away is that Biblical love is not just talk, it is action! Paul’s picture is of what love does, not what love is. Loving actions lead to a feeling. Feelings will always fail if they are given the lead position. “is not arrogant” – is not full of pride (self-importance); the Bible declares pride is responsible for much of the selfdestruction in our lives 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 (ESV) 13 “does not envy” – to eagerly desire what another has “does not boast” – seeking to cause others to be impressed § § “is not rude” – does not needlessly offend, has good manners “does not insist on its own way” – makes a conscious choice to put the needs of others ahead of their own § § § “is not irritable” – love doesn’t have a ‘hair-trigger’ “is not resentful” – doesn’t keep a tally “does not rejoice at wrongdoing” – how could we be happy for sinful behavior? § “rejoices with the truth” – is thrilled at evidence of growth (3 John 4) § § “bears all things” – default position is to protect the other “believes all things” – love trusts until given a reason not to trust § “hopes all things” – optimism about God’s grace even in people experiencing failure § “endures all things” – a military term for withstanding a sustained assault; doesn’t give up easily The supreme example of this kind of love is in God’s actions toward us. Now, ask yourself the question: Do I take these 15 actions toward others?