With only a few days to Valentine’s day, we will continue our sharing on the subject of love. Last week we looked at love being evident in our patience and kindness to others. This week we will look at what love is not from 1 Corinthians 13:4b-6. What behaviours reflect a lack of love?
Let’s take a look…
This portion of scripture says…” 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 not record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.”
When my daughter was about 3 years old, if she visited and a child in a particular home refused to share a toy, when they came home she in turn would not share her toys with that specific child. This is a classic example of our sin nature that will keep a record of wrongs. It is also common in marriages that one will hold a grudge against one’s spouse for many years and keep reminding them of the wrong they did even after an apology is made.
Pride, envy, boastfulness are the norm amongst business people and in the workplace. With each competing to be better than the other, people will do whatever it takes to get ahead of another.
What is God calling us to do? John 13:35 says, “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” It is how we love one another that will show the world that we belong to Jesus and are His followers. How we love each other on a day-to-day basis is what people will see. If people see us doing evil, seeking our own good with no regard to others, being proud and boastful, they will fail to see Christ in us and will be drawn away from the gospel.
Will you be a good ambassador for God’s kingdom by putting off these things according to 1 Cor 13:4b-6? Will you ask God for help and trust that He will indeed help you to live in a loving way?
