Sunday, August 29, 2010

The Definition of Love

1 Corinthians 13
Love


If I speak in the tongues[a] 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,[b] but have not love, I gain nothing.

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.

Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears. When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.

And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.


I wish I could proudly say that I know this love, I live this love, but I can't. My Lord knows this love. My husband understands this love. I am a work in progress, and I will keep reading and rereading until it sinks in. And I will keep praying and confessing until it's all written on my heart.

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2 comments:

Anonymous said...

In a bible study I took, it suggested that we replace the word love with our name: Karen is patient, Karen is kind, etc. Definitely makes you shine the spotlight inward and see where you need work.

Unknown said...

that's pretty interesting :)