The greatest feeling is to love and be
loved. This is something we all have in
common, the need to be loved and to love unconditionally.
What is LOVE?
Love is patient, love
is kind. It does not envy, it does not
boast, it is not proud. Love is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not
easily angered, and it keeps no records of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices in
the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always and
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. 1 Corinthians 13:4-8
What
are the Attributes of Love?
Being
Patient – A fruit of the spirit. Against such there is no law. Patience requires that we remain calm when
dealing with difficult situations, tasks or persons. It requires that we control our reaction, for
the benefit of the situation. This is
the first attribute of love.
If we have no patience, how can we say
we love?
Kindness
– is a behavior by ethical characteristics, a pleasant disposition, and concern
for others. It is putting others first before us.
When we are kind to others, we make them feel good about
themselves, and us.
Love
does not envy – We are all different and at
this very moment, embarking a different chapter in our journeys. Do not envy people and their accomplishments
because we do not know their experiences.
“Fact is that unless you have walked a mile in someone’s shoes,
you know nothing about them”.
Love
does not boast – When you boast, you are not
showing love.
From Scriptures we know,
Unless we boast in the
Lord, we have NOTHING to boast about.
Love
is not proud – forgive, love, embrace every
moment.
Prides goeth before
destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall. Proverbs 16:18
Love is not rude -
Agape love does not seek to cause problems, and it does not belittle others. Love
is choosing actions that help others.
Rudeness is rooted in selfishness.
Manners
reduce friction in our interactions while discourtesy reveals a lack of
consideration for others. The ill-mannered person is communicating that “it’s
all about me.”
Love,
by contrast, cannot be selfish, since love shows concern for others. Therefore,
love is mannerly.
Love
is not self-seeking - We may think to not be
self-seeking means that we have to please everyone. The Bible tells us to deny
ourselves and lay down our lives for others, but if we learn from Jesus’
example, He didn’t live to please everyone.
He lived to please God by doing His will, which
was for the benefit of everyone. So should we lay down our will and submit it
over to God.
“And he died for all, that those who
live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was
raised again.” 2 Corinthians 5:15
Love
is not easily angered - Our anger has deeper roots. Roots that feed worry, anxiety, fear and
jealousy. It is the root, not the anger, which usually gets us into
trouble….
Don’t explode
Don’t stuff it
Don’t become bitter
Bearing
with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each
other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.” – Colossians
3:13
“God is Love and we ought to be
ROOTED AND GROUNDED in GOD in order to LOVE”
Further Bible Reading: I John
4:20 1 John 4:8
Prayer: Lord fill our hearts with love that we may show
forth your glory in Jesus Name
Comment Prompt: In what areas do you struggle to love and
have you opened up to God about it? There are so many love attributes which is
your favorite?
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Natalie Abrahams is a Ministry Wife, an International Speaker and a Life Coach. She is the author of “Get up and Go on”. To book Natalie Abrahams and to get a copy of her book, please send an email: virtuouswconnect@gmail.com
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Labels: Devotions, My Awesome Guest
