Can We Pass the Love Test?
Day 11 in this Month of Love — Can We Pass the Love Test?
I can’t post about LOVE in this Month of Love without mentioning the scripture that we hear in just about every wedding ceremony. Words from the “Love” chapter, 1 Corinthians 13:4-8.
“Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way (oh me, how many times did I miss that one?); it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends.”
WOW — that’s a boatload! And, I’ll admit there have been plenty of times when I had to do a self analysis and if God were giving me a Love Test, I’m not quite sure if I would have passed the test. If I replaced LOVE in that scripture with my name, how would I measure up? For example, “Donna is patient and kind; Donna does not envy or boast; Donna is not arrogant or rude. Donna doesn’t insist on her own way……….”
I wonder if we sincerely took those words to heart and applied them and heeded them in our marriages and friendships, how many relationships would be saved? What if we quoted this chapter before our feet hit the floor each morning? Imagine how we could change our world when we made LOVE our priority? .
John 3:16 “For God so loved the world, that He gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth on him should not perish, but have eternal life.”
How can we compare THAT love to the love that we share? In reality, we are just not capable, in ourselves, to love the unlovely or love those who have hurt us, but if we ask God to place within us His AGAPE love (His selfless, sacrificial, unconditional love), we CAN be that kind of LOVER. AGAPE love is a divine capacity to love. And I pray for His AGAPE love to be in me and you today, AND to flow through us to those who need His love so much.
Love through me, Holy Spirit, love through me,
I will be my brother’s keeper, love through me;
Hearts are bleeding deep inside, love can dry the weeping eye,
Love through me, Holy Spirit, love through me..