1 Corinthians 4-7
“Love is patient, love is kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.
The above passage is very popular, especially at weddings. I began using the words compassion and charity in place of love because the word love has become distorted and and impure in many cases. Compassion and charity leave no doubt.
In this case, however, St. Paul is referring to agape love. Lay down your life for someone love. Love the Lord God with all your heart, soul, mind and with all your strength love. The love that He has for us. So I offer you a challenge that someone offered me a few years ago.
I challenge you to read the above passage again, instead, this time, I have substituted Jesus for Love.
Jesus is patient, love is kind. Jesus is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. Jesus does not demand His own way. Jesus is not irritable, and Jesus keeps no record of being wronged. Jesus does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Jesus never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.
Substituting Jesus for love makes perfect sense. Wouldn’t you agree? Jesus is Love because Jesus is God.
Now, the humbling part. For the third read-through, I have removed Jesus and put a blank where His name was. The challenge now is to read for a third time, but when you see a blank, insert your name.
________ is patient, ________ is kind. ________ is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. ________ does not demand its own way. ________ is not irritable, and ________ keeps no record of being wronged. ________does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. ________ never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.
How did you do? As a mere Christian I flunked big time. However, taking the test today as a follower of Christ… I ace it: not everyday but this little exercise directs me to know how I’m supposed to live my life.
God Bless you