Love Is...

I ran across a quote that reads “The way we treat people we disagree with the most is a report card on what we’ve learned about love.” Let’s think about that for a minute. What have we learned about love? The bible is very clear on what love is. According to 1 Corinthians 13:4-8:

⁴ Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. ⁵ It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. ⁶ Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. ⁷ It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

I looked up each work on Dictionary.com. Here is what I found:

To be patient and kind means we are “able to accept or tolerate delays, problems, or suffering without becoming annoyed or anxious,” and have “a good or benevolent nature or disposition, as a person”. This is what love is.

But the verse goes on to read what love does NOT do:

It does not produce “a feeling of discontent or covetousness with regard to another's advantages, success, or possessions”. It does not “speak with excessive pride or vanity.” It does not “have a high opinion of one’s own dignity, importance, or superiority.” It does not disgrace or shame others. It does not “seek its own interests or selfish ends”. It is not easily angered, and if you love someone you do not hold their past bad deeds against them. It does not like things that are harmful to others.

What does love do?

Love rejoices in the actual truth, and defends others from attacks and insults. It relies on the integrity of others, and feels “that what is wanted can be had or that events will turn out for the best”. “Love persists in anything undertaken, and maintains a purpose in spite of difficulty, obstacles, or discouragement”.

(Savage, n.d.) States that it’s commonly people may keep a record of another’s person’s wrongs because of pride. That they are seeking revenge and want the other person to be humiliated in some way. This can be true if what happened was not intentional.

I intended to use this quote as a reminder to others about how I have been treated, but in doing so I realized that the person who needed to read this was me. When I am hurt I lash out and act badly and I need to work on that. God wants us to love one another… so if I have hurt you please know that I am truly sorry, and that I am working on it. Much love to you all.

Savage, R. (n.d.). Love keeps no record of wrongs. Retrieved from ActiveChristianity: https://activechristianity.org/love-keeps-no-record-of-wrongs