“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 Corinthians 13:4-8)
I took some time to reflect on the powerful verses above, which describe the true attributes of love. As I read through them, I couldn’t help but wonder if this is truly what our world embodies when we speak of love.
In today’s society, there is a prevalent use of the phrase “I love you,” which is a good thing but accompanying actions tell the opposite. Despite these verbal declarations of love, we see a darker side of humanity. People are committing all sorts of acts of violence on others; theft, and corruption are the order of the day; increasingly, marriage relationships are experiencing rampant infidelity, deeply hurting the very ones they profess love for; single unmarried people defiling and destroying their bodies and destinies through sexual immorality; envy has become so toxic that it can lead to tragic outcomes, such as murder; the pursuit of wealth and fame has driven individuals to betray and harm their own loved ones; increased deceit and backstabbing etc.
There are numerous factors that can contribute to pain, but one prevalent issue is many people grappling with pain, heartache, and trauma inflicted by others. While some people are able to recognize their pain and seek assistance, many opt to conceal it instead. Unfortunately, some individuals turn to harmful coping mechanisms such as drug addiction and alcoholism in an attempt to find temporary relief, but these actions do not address the root cause of their pain. Also, in today’s society, social media has become a powerful tool for communication nevertheless more and more people are using platforms like social media to mask their pain and present a disguise of happiness to the outside world, all while struggling with inner turmoil. Not seeking genuine healing only serves to perpetuate the cycle of hurts, as many people who are hurting continue to inflict pain on others, creating a continual cycle of hurts.
Despite the imperfections in the world’s understanding and expression of love, the remedy we need to heal our broken hearts and societies lies in love and “God is love.”( 1 John 4:8).T he love of God is what the world truly needs. It is a covenant love, the ultimate form of love.
John 3:16 says “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”
The nature of God is love, and it is because of love that He made the ultimate sacrifice of giving His son Jesus Christ to atone for our sins, redeem and restore us to that place of intimacy with God where we experience love and are filled with His love so that we can express His love in words and actions. God yearns for a close and personal relationship with us, where we can bask in His unconditional love that purifies us and heals our hurts and enable us express His love to other. Do not allow the devil’s negative thoughts to lead you into self-condemnation as the worst of sinners. Instead, embrace God’s invitation to experience the life-changing power of eternal love.
So now, what is our response to the love of God?
“…that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.” (Romans 10:9)
Our love for God is demonstrated in believing in Jesus Christ, commitment to dwelling in His love and obeying His commandments, which includes His command to love one another (John 15:9-17).
“But anyone who does not love does not know God for God is Love” (1 John 4:8).
It is God’s will that His children, become more and more like Him. God’s nature is love, and as His children, we are called to embody and spread His love throughout the world. By answering God’s invitation to abide in His love, we are continually purified through His word and transformed by the Holy Spirit working within us. With the guidance of the Holy Spirit, we are empowered to love our neighbors and ourselves with a Christ-like love that prioritizes the well-being of others. This is the kind of love that is patient, is kind, does not envy, does not boast, is not proud, does not dishonor others, is not self-seeking, is not easily angered, keeps no record of wrongs, does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth, always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres and never fails. This kind of love is a physical expression of the working power of the Holy Spirit within a believer in Jesus Christ. It is impossible to live in love without having love and God is love.
If you desire to respond to God’s invitation or have not yet engaged in a relationship with Jesus Christ, there is hope. You can join us to say this prayer of faith, not just jokingly but let it be from your heart.
“Lord God, you are a great and loving father. Thank for your Love. Lord, I acknowledge my sins and wrong doings. I come to you this day to cleanse me of my sin and make me whole. I believe in Jesus Christ who died on the cross for my sins and I commit my life to you this day. Take my heart, cleanse me, consecrate me and use me for your glory. Thank you Lord for saving me. Through the name of Jesus Christ my Lord and Savior, Amen.” If you prayed sincerely, know that God has heard you and you are part of the believers’ family. Keep growing in faith through daily study of the Bible, prayer, and fellowship with other believers. Seek spiritual guidance and you can contact us too for help with your growth in relationship with Jesus.
Enjoy God’s love and extend this love to the world!