1 Corinthians 13:4-8
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, 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.
Our society confuses love and lust. Unlike lust, God’s kind of love is always directed outward toward others, not inward toward ourselves. It is completely unselfish. This kind of love goes against our natural inclinations. We can only practice this kind of love if God helps us set aside our own desires and instincts, so that we can give love while expecting nothing in return. The more we become like Christ, the more love we will show others.
I am often asked how you can tell if a person is like Christ (Born again). They produce fruit. There are nine attributes that Paul sums up as the fruit of the Spirit. They are love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control (Galatians 5:22, 23). The fruit of the Spirit is the spontaneous work of the Holy Spirit in us. The Spirit produces these character traits that are found in the nature of Christ. They are the by-products of Christ’s control in our lives – we can’t obtain them by trying to get them without His help. If we want to have the fruit of the Spirit grow in us, we must join our lives with His (John 15:4, 5). We must know Him, love Him, remember Him, and imitate Him. As a result, we will fulfill the intended purpose of the law – to love God and our neighbors.
I often tell people I am witnessing to, that when two people give to each other, they will both receive. If both people are not giving to each other, then one is taking from the other. The only way that both can give is to have Christ centered in the relationship. Imagine what the world be like if everyone was giving to each other. All would receive!
