1 Though I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. 3 If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.
4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
8 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. 9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part, 10 but when completeness comes, what is in part disappears. 11 When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me. 12 For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.
13 And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.
Patient Love?
Love is patient. Love is kind, love keeps no record of wrongs. I have heard these scriptures all my life. At times I am no closer to accomplishing them than when I first heard them. I have been anything but patient, kind, and forgiving to my family. While I claim to love them, I have been impatient, rude, and a scorekeeper. Help me Jesus. The other day I was reading and reflecting on 1 Corinthians realizing yet again how short I fall of the glory of God in this passage. How will I ever be able to do this?
Then it hit me.
The truth: 1 Corinthians 13 is not just about my love for others, but God’s love for me. This is how He loves me, how He loves you.
1 John 4:8 says that “God is love.” Go back and read through verses 1-13 again and replace the word love with God. While you’re reading this aloud, take it very personally. This is how the God of the universe feels and acts towards you, His precious child.
I now realize the truth of how God loves me. He is patient and kind, he keeps no records of wrongs. He protects and shelters me. Because I am so loved, I can love others.
Be loved, Beloved.
Day 1 Journal Activities
- As you read through the verses for the second time replacing love with God, what was it that really stood out to you? What is it that God wants you to understand about His love for you? Write this in your journal.
- Now, how can you integrate this into your life? Write down some practical ways that you can make this truth your own and practice doing it each day. We want this truth to stick with us.
- Feel free to share any thoughts/insights in the comments. We’d love to hear what’s on your mind.
As I was reading through these scriptures today, replacing the word “love” with “God”, I was struck afresh by the phrases, “If I do not have God I am nothing” and “If I do not have God, I gain nothing.” God is my everything. I can do anything with Him but nothing without Him. I may not have any obvious public gifting, but with God’s help, I can love. Help me this day Dearest Father to fill up on Your amazing love for me so I can amazingly love others. Amen!
As I re-read the scripture for the second time, verse 5 about God being not easily angered jumped out at me. For too long, I pictured God as being angry or frustrated with me over my sins or “mess ups.” I felt like I should tiptoe around Him and maybe stay out of His way for a day or two until it “blew over.”
But that is not God. He is not easily angered, and, hallelujah, He keeps no record of wrongs! That is the enemy’s voice in my head planting a wrong view of God so as to put distance between us and to keep me stuck in shame and guilt — when all I had to do was ask forgiveness and receive God’s immediate grace. He does not withhold His love from His children. Amen.
Jane, I have felt the same way! I still have to work through this wrong belief today. God/Love keeps no record of wrongs! Thank you, Father!
Wow. Yes, we are so alike in some of the things we struggle with!