[:en]SCRIPTURE: 1 CORINTHIANS 13
“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, 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)
“And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love” (1 Corinthians 13:13)
THE BEST DEFINITION OF LOVE IS FOUND IN THE BIBLE:
LOVE IS:
- Patient
- Kind
- Rejoice with the truth
- Protects
- Trusts
- Hopes
- Perseveres
- Never Fails
LOVE IS NOT:
- Envious
- Boastful
- Proud
- Rude
- Self-seeking
- Easily angered
- Keeping records of wrong
- Delight in evil
LOVE (vs. 1-13)
Since God is love, He wants His followers to put love into practice. Without love, family will be hostile, society will be in chaos, churches will be divided and nations will have wars. Paul emphasized that speaking of tongues, gift of prophesy, faith that can move mountain are all nothing without love. Preaching without love is plain noise and without effect. Praying without love are empty talks. Giving without love is just for show.
SUMMARY:
The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Love ranked first among them all. Love is essential to have spiritual effect in the life of the church. Love is more important than all the miraculous gifts of the Spirit. Without love, the church will be carnal and divided.
May we speak the truth in love, practice the truth in love and build the body of Christ in love. For among faith, hope and love, LOVE is the greatest!
[:]