This morning I was reading from I Corinthians chapters 13 through 15 in the Message Bible. I have 13:3-7 hanging on my bathroom wall as a reminder, but it bears repeating:
"If I give everything I own to the poor and even go to the stake to be burned as a martyr, but I don't love, I've gotten nowhere. So, not matter what I say, what I believe, and what I do, I am bankrupt without love.
Love never gives up.
Love cares more for others than for self.
Love doesn't want what it doesn't have.
Love doesn't strut.
Doesn't have a swelled head.
Doesn't force itself on others.
Isn't always "me first,"
Doesn't fly off the handle,
Doesn't keep score of the sins of others,
Doesn't revel when others grovel,
Takes pleasure in the flowering of truth,
Puts up with anything,
Trusts in God always,
Always looks for the best,
Never looks back,
But keeps going to the end."
Love cares more for others than for self.
Love doesn't want what it doesn't have.
Love doesn't strut.
Doesn't have a swelled head.
Doesn't force itself on others.
Isn't always "me first,"
Doesn't fly off the handle,
Doesn't keep score of the sins of others,
Doesn't revel when others grovel,
Takes pleasure in the flowering of truth,
Puts up with anything,
Trusts in God always,
Always looks for the best,
Never looks back,
But keeps going to the end."
I have been struggling with some personal "love" issues, and what stood out to me was, PUTS UP WITH ANYTHING. Really? That was a tough one to swallow for me this morning. Taken literally, that can be rather frightening. Are we really capable of putting up with anything? Am I capable of putting up with anything? Well, I think I already know the answer to that.
Doesn't all really go back to being selfless as opposed to being selfish? We really are self-centered beings, don't you think? As selfish people, naturally, are we capable of at least fighting the flesh and learning to be selfless? Where do we draw the line between being selfless and being a doormat? That is the part that is always most difficult for me. I mean, I do have needs myself. Do they not matter at all?
I think the answer, as always, lies in Christ. If we are completely dependent on Him, then what else do we really need? Of course, there are moral guidelines to follow. Thankfully, elsewhere in the Bible we are taught how to deal effectively with the people in our lives. I have heard it said numerous times; I have even said it myself, "Too bad children don't come with an owner's manual." Well, let me tell you, they do! The Bible is God's guidebook gifted to us. Prayerful study will reap you many rewards and abundant wise counsel. Dig deeply my friends!
Doesn't all really go back to being selfless as opposed to being selfish? We really are self-centered beings, don't you think? As selfish people, naturally, are we capable of at least fighting the flesh and learning to be selfless? Where do we draw the line between being selfless and being a doormat? That is the part that is always most difficult for me. I mean, I do have needs myself. Do they not matter at all?
I think the answer, as always, lies in Christ. If we are completely dependent on Him, then what else do we really need? Of course, there are moral guidelines to follow. Thankfully, elsewhere in the Bible we are taught how to deal effectively with the people in our lives. I have heard it said numerous times; I have even said it myself, "Too bad children don't come with an owner's manual." Well, let me tell you, they do! The Bible is God's guidebook gifted to us. Prayerful study will reap you many rewards and abundant wise counsel. Dig deeply my friends!
2 comments:
Nice post....God's perfect example of selfless love is sending His son Jesus to die on the cross for our sins.
I would also like to inform you that you are a TOP DROPPER on my blog. Thanks for dropping. Please claim your top dropper award at giftforalloccasions.com.
Congratulations!
I just started The Love Dare.. have you heard of it? It has a lot of the I Corinthians quotes.
Post a Comment