Saturday, January 5, 2013

What is love?

 If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal.  If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.  If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing.- 1Cor 13

What exactly is it to have love?  What does that mean?  I may have love in my heart, but if I don't show it, is it really love?  Perhaps it is the way we treat others.

 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.  It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.  Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.  It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.- 1Cor 13:4-7


22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control.Against such things there is no law. 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. 25 Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.-Gal 5:22-25

Are we living in a way that encourages others to know Christ?  Or our we an outward cymbal or gong?  Do we do more for ourselves than for others?  That's what self-centeredness is.  Just a few random thoughts to challenge us.