Love in Action
October 11, 2018
Love is patient and 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.
1 Corinthians 13:4-8 NLT
I just officiated at a wedding of two new believers. They have each previously been married and are brokenhearted at the failure of those relationships. They are blending families and wanting their new relationship to go the distance, be a powerful teaching demonstration to their children, and honor God. We studied 1 Corinthians 13, the Love Chapter, in premarital counseling, and they were blown away at the practical direction and implications. We shared it during the wedding the way we studied it. Perhaps it will help you to add your own name, substituting it in the chapter every time you see the word “love.”
“Danny and Ashley are patient and kind. Danny and Ashley are not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. Danny and Ashley do not demand their own way. Danny and Ashley are not irritable, and they keep no record of being wronged. Danny and Ashley do not rejoice about injustice but rejoice whenever the truth wins out. Danny and Ashley never give up, never lose faith, are always hopeful, and endure through every circumstance.”
There you have it. That’s the way to go the distance. That’s the way to finish well. If Danny and Ashley follow these verses, and follow them like their lives depend on it; their marriage depends on it, they will succeed better than they can imagine. Our relationships will succeed as well.
- Which of the phrases in these verses best describe you in your closest relationship? Which describe you least accurately?
- Talk to God honestly, and together work on the practical love that wins.