First let’s consider what “love” is. There are 4 types of love mentioned in the Bible. In the context of 1Corinthians 13 …. the love mentioned is “agape” love. Agape love is selfless, sacrificial, unconditional love, and is the highest of the 4 types of love mentioned in Bible.
I would think this is the kind of love God experienced when he sent his “only begotten” son into the world … for a very heart wrenching purpose. I would think it is also the kind of love Jesus had when he willingly & obediently died on the cross … to pay for the cost of our sins …. so that we may not have to die an earthly and spiritual death … but so that we may live … live our earthly life with the guidance of the Holy Spirit and our heavenly life in eternity with Him.
Sort of humbling when considering the ever famous words of 1Corinthians 13. A patience, kindness, endurance, hope … that is selfless, sacrificial, unconditional. Even more humbling when considering what it is not … jealous, boastful, proud, rude, demanding, irritable.
We will be human in our inability to be … or not be…. any of those things. Clearly on this side of heaven, relationships are made up of imperfect humans. Lord knows ….. In my relationship with Dad, “not” being irritable or demanding is an ever ending inward struggle. It always seems to be the “small” things that lead me astray. I can be very patient, kind, non irritable …. In a financial mishap …. but, the 3 minutes it takes for dad to finish his cereal … loudly chewing … in the morning is torture. Dad, on the other hand shows great love to me …. as long as it doesn’t involve a knife with peanut butter smell left on it in the sink or dishwasher. I mean … where else would you put a peanut buttered knife other than in the dishwasher? But, now that I know it “unnerves” him … I can go that extra step of kindness. Dad, however, can not change his human “chewing” structure (though I may check the internet for possible surgeries … wink, wink) … which requires ME to be selfless, sacrificial, unconditional …… even though I am ALSO the one who is now hand washing peanut buttered knives before putting them into the dishwasher. Trust me ….. it is the small things …. But always remember …..
Love is ….
and also
Love is not …..
SandiSays 