Love is...

I am sure we have all heard the popular "wedding" verses from 1 Corinthians 13. When I was in confirmation we all had to pick a scripture verse or two that we really enjoyed. I picked 1 Corinthians 13:4-8, much to my mother's disapproval. To her, that was only for a wedding, not something which was to be read on our confirmation day, and being that she was my teacher, I had to convice her that it could be used otherwise. I told her my second choice (which I do not remember) and she responded saying it was a verse for funerals and she would rather I use the first selection.

Is 1 Cornithians 13 only for weddings? No. We are instructed to love each other as our brother or sister and so the love verses very much apply to our everyday life as a Christian.

The KJV uses charity instead of love. Although the greek definition of the word agapē translated to mean charity is love, when we think of charity, what often comes to mind? I think of a place or person whom needs my help or giving something to charity is giving something to the needy. I do not think of charity as being love, although I suppose it could be.

For devotions one Sunday, the brother went through the four verses explaining what each of the things love is. I do not remember all that he said, but I do remember one specific comment.

1 Corinthians 13:4-8
4 Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,
5 Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;
6 Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth;
7 Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.
8 Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.

In verse 5, it was mentioned that the word "easily" was added to make us feel like we can attain not being easily provoked, afterall, who will not be provoked by anything? In the NKJV and NASB, the word easily is left out. In the german Bible, a different word is used rather than easily, one that is harsher, but I do not remember what it was.

I believe these verses are all what we should strive for in our love towards others. Jesus set a wonderful example for us with His love and now it is our turn to be disciples of Christ and show our love to the world.
Blessings in Christ,