If I could speak all the languages of earth and of angels, but didn’t love others, I would only be a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. 1st Corinthians 13:1
During the weekend message, we were reminded that love is an action, not a feeling. You see, we can tell someone over and over that we love them, but if we do not show our love through our actions, specifically by the way we treat them, they will rightfully question if we actually do love them. This is because we prove our love for the people around us, including our spouses, by our actions. If we want our spouses and the people around us to know we love them, we must show them our love by the way we treat and serve them.
The apostle Paul explains the significance of love in the very well-known passage of Scripture, 1st Corinthians 13. He began this chapter by writing, “If I could speak all the languages of earth and of angels, but didn’t love others, I would only be a noisy gong or a clanging symbol” (verse 1). Several verses later, he added to this thought, saying, “If I gave everything I have to the poor and even sacrificed my body, I could boast about it; but if I didn’t love others, I would have gained nothing” (verse 3). These are strong statements from Paul. If we do remarkable things with our lives and give everything we have to those in need, yet love is not present, our actions will mean nothing. According to Paul, these actions are insignificant without love at the center. Love must be at the center of everything we do in order for our words and actions to have significance.
After explaining the significance of love, Paul began to teach what love is. He wrote, "Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance" (verses 4-7). This is a remarkable definition for love, isn't it? Notice that all of these characteristics of love, and what love is not, are based on actions, not feelings. You see, despite our feelings, we can always choose to be patient, kind, persistent, full of faith and hope, and more. We can choose to love every single day, regardless of our feelings or circumstances. This kind of love has a lasting impact.
My friend, if we want the people in our lives, especially our spouses, to feel loved, we have to show them our love through our actions. We must choose to love them through our patience, kindness, humility, and more. Let's not just tell people we love them; let's show them.
Look at Paul's definition of love in 1st Corinthians 13. Which of the attributes do you need to grow in? Perhaps you need to cultivate patience, humility, or perseverance. How can you begin to grow in that area starting today? If you are married, focus on how you can grow in this area in order to demonstrate your love toward your spouse. Be sure to ask God to help you as you seek to grow in this area.
1st Corinthians 13:1-7
1If I could speak all the languages of earth and of angels, but didn’t love others, I would only be a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 If I had the gift of prophecy, and if I understood all of God’s secret plans and possessed all knowledge, and if I had such faith that I could move mountains, but didn’t love others, I would be nothing. 3 If I gave everything I have to the poor and even sacrificed my body, I could boast about it; but if I didn’t love others, I would have gained nothing.
4 Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud 5 or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. 6 It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. 7 Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.
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