! Corinthians 13

Love trumps everything, Is that possible? Ask anyone in love, and the answer will most likely be, YES.. Does sound like a tall order in todays world?

In my humble opinion, 1 Corinthians 13: 4-13 are powerful scriptures that begin with simple phrases, such as “love is kind”, elevating with contrasts like “it does not envy”. It’s hard stuff. If you think about the message it conveys, and the human strength it commands, you will see a completely opposite perspective of what lives in the heart of mankind.

I believe Paul, the author of Corinthians is revealing this message:

1. The Eminence of Love, verses 1-3 – love is the foundation of all spiritual gifts, and nothing is of value without love as the main motive or driving force for action.
2. The Explanation of Love, verses 4-8 – a description of love, what it looks like and how it operates in our lives, and he contrasts the verses with what love is not.
3. The Endurance of Love, verses 9-13 – emphasis on the permanency of love, the sustaining promise that trumps all other virtues, whether faith or hope, only love endures.

It makes perfect sense why 1 Corinthians 13 is recited at most weddings. It offers the perfect ingredients for strong marriages and teaches a thorough lesson on love, what it means and how to make it last forever.

Valentines Day is a day the entire world celebrates – Love. Imagine a world where love penetrated every relationship, not just family or romantic relationships, but the person who bags your groceries or brings your food to the table at restaurants.

Love

Love is not just a 4-letter word, its action in motion, an attitude toward others. Who doesn’t like to be around loving people? Everyone desires to be loved and accepted by others, it’s human nature.

It’s not by accident the first two commandments are all about love. If you look at the list of commandments, the ability to love others seems easy to do compared to some of the other commandments, but God knew we would struggle with love, leading me to think that’s why it’s listed first. Love lessons are sprinkled throughout the scriptures, here are a few of my favorites:

• “Above all, love each other deeply,because love covers a multitude of sins”. – 1 Peter 4:8
• “Beloved, let us love one another, for love is (springs) from God, and he who loves is begotten (born) of God and is coming to know and understand God (to perceive and recognize and get a better and clearer knowledge of him)”. –1 John 4:7
• “By this shall all know that you are my disciples, if you love one another (if you keep on showing love among yourselves)”. John 13:35
• “But I tell you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you”.     Matthew 5:44

With these specific instructions written for guidance, we continue to struggle with loving each other. The ones close to our hearts are easy to love, but what about the ones we find unlikable or hard to love? And what about the people who hurt or abandoned us? Only through love can forgiveness heal and life move forward.

Hearts

A world united in love would have no need to be at war.  Hate and fear would cease to exist. Friendship, relationships and communities would thrive.The greatness of this concept would be limitless, heavenly in fact. And one day, it shall be. I can only imagine.

How will your Valentine’s Day impact others? Do you have any advice on how to love more, how to add to the world around you?

Happy Valentine’s Day,
Donna George, xoxo

Happy Valentine’s Day