"It (love) does not dishonor others, is not self-seeking, is not easily angered, it keeps no records of wrongs." I Corinthians 13:5
Perhaps you have heard the old story of the young man who professed his love for his beau with this passionate pledge, "My Love, I would climb the highest mountain to be with you! I would swim the deepest ocean to be by your side! A pack of wild beasts could not keep me from you! And, my Dear, I'll be over tonight if it doesn't rain."
In I Corinthians 13 it is clear that Paul understood love is not best expressed in large dramatic acts like giving your body to be burned or giving all your possessions to the poor. If love isn't expressed through your daily behavior, your love will not ring true.
So far in our study we have learned about patience and kindness. If you have the "agape" love of God active in your life you will demonstrate patience and kindness in your daily living. Our tag line for this loving virtue is "Love takes grief and gives grace".
If you aren't patient and kind with people in your daily living you don't have God's love active in your life.
We also learns that "Love completes, it doesn't compete". When God is active in your life you will not be envious, boastful or arrogant.
Today's third truth about "agape" love is this "Love behaves like it believes".
What a difference it would make for the Gospel if God's people would just be well-mannered and polite in every day life!
When a Christ-follower acts rudely toward a store clerk or a server at a restaurant it makes a bad impression for the cause of Christ. When a Christian with a Christian bumper sticker and a "Follow Me to FredWes" car magnet rudely cuts people off in traffic he is not behaving like someone who possesses of love of Christ.
Love is not rude. Were you rude to someone today?
Love is not self-seeking. Was your rudeness a result of your self-centeredness?
Love is not easily angered. Were you rude because you lost your temper?
Love forgives quickly. Were you rude because someone was toward you?
Love behaves like it believes!
Will you surrender to God's love today to keep you from behaving rudely?
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