[Love] bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. —1 Corinthians 13:7
We often hear 1 Corinthians 13, the love chapter of the Bible, quoted at weddings. But can anyone really love like that?
This passage paints an amazing portrait of love. It says love is patient and kind. It does not insist on its own way. It is not irritable or resentful . . . and so on. And it’s true—no one has the ability to perfectly live up to this standard. Except for Jesus.
This chapter doesn’t just paint a portrait of love; it also paints a portrait of Christ. The fifteen characteristics of love we find there describe Jesus. And if we allow Him to fill our lives, we can love the way this chapter describes.
We must be willing to be emptied of ourselves, because naturally every one of us is born selfish. But when Jesus comes in and fills our hearts with His love, then we find we’re able to love as He did—in a selfless, sacrificial, and serving way.
Make it Personal
Read through 1 Corinthians 13 and ask God to take this passage and get it from your head into your heart.