Love is Patient and Kind

13 If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3 If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned,[a] but have not love, I gain nothing. 4 Love is patient and kind;

 

When the apostle Paul penned these words he was addressing the church in Corinth.  This church resided in the midst of immorality, wealth, and greed. Although this church had been blessed with every spiritual gift given to man, it was operating in carnality. This church had a lot of issues but one main one was a lack of love for one another. In Chapter 12 Paul addresses the different spiritual gifts and then instructs the Corinthians that they are all one body with many parts which implies interdependence upon one another. Chapter 13 is set in the context of spiritual gifts. Paul challenges the Corinthians how to utilize those gifts with love.  In essence Paul is saying some major points that we can all glean from.

Verse 1: You could have the most eloquent influential speech but if you don’t love your audience you sound like a clanging symbol.

Verse 2: You could have all the knowledge, intelligence, and faith to move mountains, but if you don’t love those you are sharing it with, it means nothing.

Verse 3: You can do all the good deeds in the world and sacrifice even your life but if you don’t have love for those you serve, those works are all in vain.  One man put it this way “men will fight for Christianity, and die for Christianity, but not live in its spirit which is love.”

Then he goes on to describe what love looks like. I stopped at verse 4 only because there is so much to glean just from those words. LOVE is PATIENT and KIND.  The first adjective describes the negative side of love. Patience in the Greek means suffereth long-under provocations of evil from others. KIND refers to the positive side of love which is extending good toward others.

During a season in my life I had the privileged opportunity to meet a very unique individual. This person stretched me to the max and at times was very demanding and exhausting. I wasn’t the only person who felt this way. In fact many others avoided this person at all costs and displayed anger toward this individual. At the time I didn’t realize that God was using this person to show me how to love. One afternoon I prayed for a divine opportunity hoping and expecting to meet someone new and exciting to share my faith with. As I left and went around the corner I spotted this individual. Not proud to admit this, but in my heart I sighed because I wasn’t in the mood to deal with them. As I approached them, they smiled and hugged me and thanked me because they were lost and I knew the way. I have only heard the Lord audibly a few times in my life and this day was as clear as can be. As we continued to walk together, The Lord spoke “LOVE IS PATIENT Jennifer, Did I give up on you when you were difficult to love?” It changed my life forever. Lord forgive us for the times we give up so easily.

 Romans 5:8 says, “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

 2 Peter 3:9 says,” The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.”

2,000 years ago Jesus Christ demonstrated his love toward us. God came down in the flesh through a virgin birth, lived a sinless life, got up on a cross as an innocent man and stretched out his arms for you and for me. This selfless act shouts I’d rather die than live eternally without you! You are priceless to me! I love you! I paid it all believe me!

If you’ve never received that love, it’s impossible to give it. This love Paul is talking about is true You before Me love. It really doesn’t matter how gifted or talented we are if we don’t operate in love none of that matters. The next time we are in a situation where someone is difficult to love or circumstances cause us to want to give up just remember God never gave up on us. He gave Himself for us so that we might be reconciled to God! Love is the oxygen for the Christian Life! Until next time, live Fit4eternity and LOVE ONE ANOTHER PATIENTLY….And remember: Romans 2:4 “Don't you see how wonderfully kind, tolerant, and patient God is with you? Does this mean nothing to you? Can't you see that his kindness is intended to turn you from your sin?” Be Kind to One Another!