Love Is, Love Does

LOVE IS …    LOVE DOES ...

The word “love” might bring to mind a familiar phrase:

     Love is patient, love is kind …

On one popular TV trivia show, the contestants couldn’t name the book of the Bible where these verses are written, but they recognized the words.

     Love always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres …

Many have heard these verses recited in wedding ceremonies or seen them on Valentine’s Day cards. They are found in 1 Corinthians 13, often called the “love chapter”.

     Love never fails …

Some might say 1 Corinthians 13 has been quoted too much, which can cause words to lose their meaning. People might think, “Yeah, ok. ‘Faith, hope and love, and the greatest of these is love.’ I know. I’ve heard it all before.”  For some, the word “love” has been exhausted.  If we read or speak beautiful words about love again and again, but do not do it with intention or understanding, then the words begin to sound like empty statements.  A better way to say that is, “If I speak in the languages of men and of angels, but have not to love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal” (1 Corinthians 13:1, NIV).

1 Corinthians 13 teaches that people must connect to love, specifically the love of God, in order to live meaningful lives.  Valentine’s Day brings good news because people can connect to the best kind of love, God’s love.  The love chapter teaches about the love of God: agape love, everlasting love, unconditional love, unselfish love. God’s love is wide open. His love is available to anyone who will yield their hearts and lives to Him.

How should we then live?  How should we then love? In a fashion that brings Him honor and glory.  1 Corinthians 13 challenges us to do everything out of love, specifically the kind of love that God has shown through Jesus.  That means loving friends, enemies, neighbors, co-workers, spouses, children, parents, and even strangers with the merciful and selfless love that comes from God. 

portions are taken from https://billygraham.org/story/on-valentines-day-a-real-love-connection/   

- By Ann Marie Chilton, February 12, 2009