It reads: "Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, 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."
The kind of love that is represented by Jesus in the bible is agape - the Greek word to paraphrase "selfless love." It's the same variety He showed us at the cross. Though Jesus had done no wrong, He walked the road to Calvary for us, having been beaten, taunted, and tortured, so that we might experience mercy and life with the Father. Matthew 16:24-5 states, "Then Jesus told his disciples, "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it." I am no theologian, so I personally cannot be certain if Jesus was using this literally (as in martyrdom) or in a more figurative way, but nevertheless, I feel we are to apply it to our lives today. Jesus calls us to love each other selflessly, without condition. We are to put aside our selfish, worldly ways and desires to live a life that is dedicated to mirroring the love of Christ. Paul wrote to the people in Corinth, advising them to love in exactly this way. Broken down, this is what the verse does (and does not) mean:
"Love is patient" - it's allowing someone time to heal from past hurts or abuse; it's trying to understand someone else's perspective; it is slow to anger and abounding in grace
"love is kind" - it doesn't harass, condemn, insult, or condescend; it is empathetic and compassionate
"It does not envy" - it isn't jealous; it doesn't want what someone else has
"it does not boast" - it's not gloating, bragging, or saying "I told you so"
"it is not proud" - it is humble; it's not viewing yourself as better than another; it's admitting when you're wrong; it's taking responsibility for your actions
"It does not dishonor others" - it's not pointing fingers, placing blame; it's not smearing someone's name; it doesn't humiliate or degrade
"it is not self-seeking" - it's working for the benefit of another; it's working toward common ground and compromise
"it is not easily angered" - it's not rushing to reprimand or scold
"it keeps no record of wrongs" - it forgives completely; it erases an offense, once and for all; it's not bringing up past wrongs in current arguments; it's not bitter or resentful
"Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth" - love does not lure those around us to sin, but seeks righteousness; it's wanting others to feel the joy that you do in Christ
"It always protects" - it's caring for the hearts and interests of others; it's taking care with someone's emotions
"always trusts" - it's having faith in someone; it's believing they have your best interest at heart
"always hopes" - it's always believing the best and glass-is-half-full
"always perseveres" - love will always win over hate and evil.
It's easy for us to read this passage and gloss over the true meaning, because we've heard it countless times. When you really stop to consider all that it implies and represents, it's really quite profound, in my humble opinion. When you pause to consider your own actions and whether or not they qualify as "loving," what do you see?
Love is giving with reckless abandon; expecting nothing in return. Love is humbly admitting that you were wrong. Love is sometimes biting your tongue. Love is waking early with the kids so that your mate can sleep in. Love is giving someone else the last cookie. Love is letting someone else go before you in line. Love is stopping to buy the homeless man a drink and a sandwich. Love is sharing the gospel with others, so that they too may find joy in Christ.
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