As In a Mirror

Today’s Word for Wednesday is short and sweet.
In the thirteenth chapter of 1 Corinthians, we find an exposition of the deep meaning of true love.

“And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.” (1 Corinthians 13:13)

In this passage, the Apostle Paul says that without love, prophesy, speaking in tongues, knowledge, faith, and understanding of mysteries amount to nothing for a believer. Love is long suffering, love is kind, enduring, trusting, hoping all things, believing all things, and bearing all things. Love rejoices in the truth. Love is not envious, is not boastful or puffed up; it does not behave rudely, does not seek its own or rejoice in iniquity, is not provoked, thinks no evil. Love, agape in the original Greek, is equivalent to benevolence or charity, a condition of the heart that requires kinetic energy.

Charity or benevolence, of which love consists, is an act of mercy initiated by compassion, or doing unto others as you desire them to do to you. Love is a kind of devotion, for love is enduring, and endurance is not defined by circumstances. If love is unconditional, then it is evident that love is not often deserved by the receiver. Thus, love is a compromise; not a compromise of standard, but rather a compromise of will, that is, a sacrifice of self.

Love is a manner of behavior, which by default demands a response. If love is accepted, it will abound and benefit both parties. If love is rejected, it will continue to manifest, for it is long-suffering. It was through love that God gave His Son Jesus Christ as a propitiation for our sins; it was through love that Jesus told the rich young ruler to fulfill the law by selling all he had and following Him. It is also through love that we keep the commandments of God.

1 John 4:8 tells us that, “…God is love.” Thus, as we adopt the attributes of love, we are conforming our character to the character of God, and are being transformed into His image. Indeed, we are believers in Christ as a response to the vast love of God; we have been changed by His love. We are compelled by His love to seek Him and walk in His ways, living no longer for ourselves, but for Christ who died for us and rose again. Love, therefore, is growing in our hearts and bearing fruit as we walk in the ways of God, who is love.

“For the love of Christ compels us, because we judge thus: that if One died for all, then all died; and He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again.” (2 Corinthians 5:14-15)

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