"Although I may be a gifted speaker and can pray in tongues anytime, anywhere, and yet I don’t love others, I am only making noise without substance. And though I seem to have an answer for everything and people come to me for my opinions, and I am a dynamo of spiritual power with many spiritual victories, and yet I have no love, I am a zero. And though my generosity is well known, and I have sacrificed all for God with wounds and scars to prove it, yet I have no love, God hasn’t profited from me at all.
“So, how can you tell whether or not you have real love? See for yourself how love behaves by the following list:
“Love smiles through the pain of being hurt, criticized, misunderstood and ignored without constantly complaining. Love never confronts anyone unless it is with a kind, well-considered word without blasting them out of the room. Love doesn’t judge or want what others have—-clothes, car, job, wife, husband, money, personality or even spiritual gifts. It doesn’t go around talking about God being unfair or people being uncaring when the real problem is envy and jealousy. It shuns the limelight and recognition. It doesn’t have “I” problems.
“Love declines to make a scene about everything and won’t make mountains out of molehills. It will not choose inappropriate and disruptive ways to make a point. It doesn’t have to be right all the time and it is slow to get stirred up about every tale spread through the ever-active grapevine. Love doesn’t wear its feelings on its sleeves, and it doesn’t assume that others are thinking, doing and intending the worst. It gives people the benefit of the doubt.
“Love suffers when someone fails or when tragedy strikes. It takes no pleasure in sin or wrongdoing of any kind. It is most interested in the truth winning out, even when the truth hurts. Love lends its shoulder to bear the burdens of others and never breaks their confidence. It believes the best in people and tries hard to trust them. Even when love feels someone is wrong, lying, or making a huge mistake, it still hopes for the best possible outcome. And when love is disappointed and crushed by bearing, believing and hoping, it endures the hurt and embarrassment with cheer and restraint, always continuing to be itself—-love.
“Three great forces motivate the church: faith, hope and love. These powerful attributes are the basis for everything the church is doing in the world today. But even when you narrow it all down to these three, at the top of the list you’ll find love.”
-J. Mark Jordan, Thought Sculpting
I found this paraphrase of I Corinthians 13 online and it is as convicting as it is beautiful. So powerful, don't you think?
The Plight of Eyeyore
13 years ago
3 comments:
That was good food for thought. Interesting post, Deb. Isnt it awe-inspiring when you get just a glimpse of what God's love is like. Im looking forward to having Jesus' love-filled eyes look into mine. Wow, what a moment that will be! God be with you and yours! :o)
Great pic for your heading! Thats summer to a T.
What a great reminder of what love is supposed to be! It is really convicting, isn't it? Thanks for the boost!
"Rain keeps falling on my head." Let's all sing! One of the main purposes for our lives is to "love one another", first to the saved and then to the unsaved. God helps us if we don't reach out to both groups. Love ya, Mom
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