Our culture markets chocolates, flowers, and conversation hearts as a way to show affection. There is certainly no question that love is of great value, and if sales reports are any indication of our beliefs, then most of us make sure to celebrate with our pocketbook.
But while we adhere to society’s traditional hallmarks of love, do we take the time to remind ourselves of God’s hallmarks?
Christ wants to see maturing disciples characterized by love, because “by this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another” (John 13:35).
What did Jesus mean by “love”? The apostle Paul described divine love—the type God shows for us—with 13 thought provoking characteristics in 1 Corinthians 13.
Love:
- “suffers long”(v. 4)—loves difficult people without being difficult in return.
- “is kind”(v. 4)—reflects a merciful and good heart.
- “does not envy”(v. 4)—does not resent others based on their position or possessions.
- “does not parade itself, is not puffed up”(v. 4)—builds others up rather than self-promotes.
- “does not behave rudely”(v. 5)—is considerate of others.
- “does not seek its own”(v. 5)—puts the interests of others ahead of self-interest.
- “is not provoked”(v. 5)—is not easily irritated.
- “thinks no evil”(v. 5)—does not hold grudges but practices forgiveness.
- “does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth”(v. 6)—acts with honesty and integrity.
- “bears all things”(v. 7)—demonstrates patience and understanding with the faults of others.
- “believes all things”(v. 7)—gives others the benefit of the doubt.
- “hopes all things”(v. 7)—desires the best for others.
- “endures all things”(v. 7)—does not give up on anyone.
Only the power of the Holy Spirit can give us this type of love. At the same time, love is a choice, not an emotion. Love springs from an act of the will when we choose to obey Christ. Feelings or emotion may or may not be present. In fact, we may feel that a particular person is not deserving of our love.
It is important to remember that God chose to love us, even when we don’t deserve it (see Rom. 5:8). When people see the love of Christ in our lives, it better prepares them to hear the message of Christ through our words.
Ask God to help you obey His command to love others regardless of your desire or feelings. Then measure your love by His standard, not yours.
As someone deeply entrenched in the study and application of Christian theology and the teachings of Jesus Christ, I approach the discussion of love, particularly in the context of the article you provided, with a wealth of knowledge and a sincere dedication to understanding the biblical perspectives on the subject.
The article draws attention to the cultural expressions of affection through materialistic means such as chocolates, flowers, and conversation hearts. It then pivots to a profound inquiry into whether we, as individuals, take the time to reflect on the hallmarks of love as prescribed by God, emphasizing the teachings of Christ.
The scriptural reference to John 13:35 underscores the significance of love in identifying true discipleship. To elaborate on the nature of this love, the article references the apostle Paul's elucidation in 1 Corinthians 13. This chapter outlines 13 characteristics of divine love, offering a comprehensive guide to understanding the depth and selflessness of the love Christ desires in His followers.
- "Suffers long" (v. 4): The ability to endure patiently, loving difficult people without returning difficulty.
- "Is kind" (v. 4): Reflecting a merciful and good heart in actions and intentions.
- "Does not envy" (v. 4): Avoiding resentment based on others' positions or possessions.
- "Does not parade itself, is not puffed up" (v. 4): Building others up instead of self-promotion.
- "Does not behave rudely" (v. 5): Exercising consideration for others.
- "Does not seek its own" (v. 5): Prioritizing the interests of others over self-interest.
- "Is not provoked" (v. 5): Maintaining emotional control and avoiding quick irritation.
- "Thinks no evil" (v. 5): Letting go of grudges and practicing forgiveness.
- "Does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth" (v. 6): Acting with honesty and integrity.
- "Bears all things" (v. 7): Demonstrating patience and understanding with the faults of others.
- "Believes all things" (v. 7): Giving others the benefit of the doubt.
- "Hopes all things" (v. 7): Desiring the best for others.
- "Endures all things" (v. 7): Not giving up on anyone.
The article emphasizes that such love is empowered by the Holy Spirit and is a conscious choice rather than a fleeting emotion. This aligns with the idea that love is an act of the will, rooted in obedience to Christ. Even when emotions may not align, choosing to love others reflects a commitment to following the example of God's unconditional love, as highlighted in Romans 5:8.
The call to ask God for help in obeying the command to love, regardless of personal desires or feelings, and the reminder to measure love by God's standard rather than personal inclinations, serves as a practical and spiritually grounded guide for those seeking to embody the love described in the Scriptures.
