Teaching Articles:

AND THIS IS LOVE
December 30, 2010
Love is obedient; the only way we can show that we love God is by doing what pleases Him. Similarly when we love someone, we try all we can to do what pleases the person.
In 1 Corinthians chapter 13, Paul addresses the issue of love very clearly. He says:
Love is patient, it suffers long for people, no matter the evil and injury done by the person, nor neglect or ignoring by a loved one; love will continue to uphold the person. It is a fruit of the Spirit
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness” (Galatians 5:22).
Love is kind: love does not resent evil; it does not revel in the hurt and neglect of others. it reaches out in kindness: in helpfulness, in giving, and in showering favors upon the person who neglects or hurts you.
“Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honor preferring one another” (Romans 12:10)
Love does not envy, does not have feelings against others because of what they have, such as gifts, higher status or wealth.
“Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another” (Galatians 5:26).

Love does not boast, does not brag nor seek recognition, honor, or applause from others. On the contrary, love seeks to give: to recognize, to honor and applaud the other person.
“For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith” (Romans 12:3)
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Love is not proud. It is modest and humble; it recognizes and honors others.
“Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 18:4).
Love does not dishonor others, It is orderly and controlled; it behaves and treats all persons with respect, honoring and respecting who they are.
“That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ” (Philippians 1:10).
Love is not self-seeking, is not selfish; does not insist on its own rights.
“Let no man seek his own, but every man another's wealth” (1 Corinthians 10:24).
Love is not easily angered; it controls the emotions, and never becomes angry without a cause.
“But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth” (Colossians 3:8).
Love keeps no record of wrongs. It suffers the evil done to it and forgets.
“But I say unto you, that ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also” (Matthew 5:39).
Love does not delight in evil: it does not take pleasure in the unrighteousness and sin of others; it does not feed upon sin and wrong, nor does it pass along the stories of sin and wrong. Man’s nature is too often fed with the tragedy of evil, whether personal sin or natural disaster. (This is what news papers, radio and TV call news it is also the conversation of many people).
“Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted” (Galatians 6:1).
Love rejoices with the truth: it rejoices when the truth is known and when it prevails. It never covers or hides the truth; love is courageous in that it faces the truth.
“Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbor: for we are members one of another” (Ephesians 4:25).
Love always protects, it covers up the faults of others. It has no pleasure in exposing the wrong and weakness of others.
“With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” (Ephesians 4:2-3).
Love always trusts: it believes all things; is totally trusting.
“And if he trespass against thee seven times in a day, and seven times in a day turn again to thee, saying, I repent; thou shalt forgive him” (Luke 17:4).
Love always hopes: it expects the good to eventually triumph and to gain the victory.
“For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for?” (Romans 8:24)
Love always perseveres. It actively fights and endures all attacks. No matter what attacks love, named or unnamed, it endures the attack and continues to love.
“And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved” (Matthew 10:22).
Love never fails: that is why Paul concludes that “where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away… And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.