Love

Love!

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. 1 Corinthians 13:4‭-‬5 NLT

Did you see that human attributes are given to love in today's extract? Why would this be the case? Could it be the greatest lesson about God and His expectations from us is that He is the perfect embodiment of all He commands us to do and be, and none of his commands are impossible to achieve if we trust His grace and power? Love is not an idea; a concept; logic or data. Love is a person, full of emotion, capable of feeling and able to let go of grudges and hurt. The next time you are tempted to think that someone is beyond your forgiveness, think about this: if God were standing next to you, holding out grace and mercy for your own wrong, would you accept it or stick to your own position?

If you are the recipient of love this amazing, you cannot hold on to your own hurts and rights. Check out all that love doesn't do in today's extract: these are attributes of a life that is grateful for all the mercies it has received from God, and is quick to share them with other people. If I insist on my 'rights' everytime, or I keep reminding you of the times you have wronged me, or I envy your 'success' or I am the one filled with pride on my own 'achievements', then I need to check myself before I wreck myself. If I do a honest assessment of my life now, what will be visible about my priorities: my way or God's will? My own interests or the display of God's grace?

So, what do you have or hold on to NOW? It is either love or the very opposite. You cannot sit on the fence on this one; in fact, there is no fence when it comes to God's express commands. Love is a person; God is Love, and all who live in God live in love. Where are you resident at the moment? His time of favour is here.