1 Corinthians 13:4-7 Love

1 Corinthians 13:4-7 Love is patient, love is kind and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant, does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered, does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

Observation

There is just so much to this scripture, that a sermon would be better than an observation.  However, the value of this scripture would surely reap a great harvest of righteousness by letting it sink deep into my heart

Most often this verse is associated with marriage/weddings.  Tim and I used this verse during our wedding ceremony. But to me this verse dictates to me more than just how I treat my spouse.

God is love and when His Spirit indwells in us we are love too. Love is who we are in Christ.  John explains in 1 John 4:16 that God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them.  When I look at love as part of my identity instead of merely action,  this scripture is driven deeper into my heart.  I certainly fall short in the action of love, some day's I struggle with just being patient, let alone kind. However, I feel much more confident in rebuking jealous, boastful, and unbecoming thoughts with the realization of who I am in Christ. When you realize who you are, your behavior will naturally begin to line up with that belief system.  I see this all the time with negative labels given to us.  For example, if someone tells you that you are a loser long enough, you will begin to behave like a loser.  We tend to live up or down to the identity that we are given.  I want to live up to the identity of love that I have been given through my relationship with Jesus Christ.

Application

When bigger verses list certain behaviors out, I find it easier to memorize and soak the scripture in by creating a book mark.  I simply list the topic and verse address at the top of the book mark and then the attributes.

Prayer

God, You are love. No greater love than this that You would lay down your life for me (John 15:13). How can I thank You enough for all that You have done to save me, wash me, and make me new in You. You are my Redemption.  You are beautiful and amazing. Please continue to pour out Your Spirit on me, so that each day I may be found more in You.