What is Real Love? 1 Corinthians 13:4-8
It's obvious that “love” means different things to different
people. The difficulty is that having a word meaning so many
different things could end up making the word mean nothing.
The Bible makes it clear that love is what the world needs most
and is the most important thing. Paul the apostle said, “I could
remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.” 1
Corinthians 13:1-3. God can change us from the inside out so
that we can live in love. We need to submit ourselves to the
Lord in order to be open to the kind of life-changing love
described in Corinthians.
The Marks of Real Love:
1) Real Love “Suffers Long.”
2) Real Love “Is Kind.”
3) Real Love “Does Not Envy.”
4) Real Love “Does Not Parade Itself.”
5) Real Love “Is Not Puffed Up.”
6) Real Love “Does Not Behave Rudely.”
7) Real Love “Does Not Seek Its Own.”
8) Real Love “Is Not Provoked.”
9) Real Love “Thinks No Evil.”
10) Real Love “Does Not Rejoice in Iniquity.”
11) Real Love “Rejoices in the Truth.”
12) Real Love “Bears All Things.”
13) Real Love “Believes All Things.”
14) Real Love “Hopes All Things.”
15) Real Love “Endures All Things.”
Real Love “Suffers Long.”
Real love is slow to become resentful and takes a lot to be
provoked. Real love is patient, even when it is very hard. Real
love can love even during heartache. Real love does not give
way to resentment.
Real Love “Is Kind.”
The Greek translation of the word kind is “useful or gracious.”
Kind love brings out the best - rather than the worst - in the
one loved.
Real Love “Does Not Envy.”
Real love is happy for others' accomplishments. It means that
even if I can never achieve what you have achieved, and even
if I wish myself more, I cannot wish you less.
Real Love “Does Not Parade Itself.”
Real love does not boast or put itself in the spotlight. It is
gracious in victory.
Real Love “Is Not Puffed Up.”
Real love is not arrogant. It is sensitive to the needs of others
as well as our own need for help.
Real Love “Does Not Behave Rudely.”
Real love does not make inappropriate demands of others.
Real Love “Does Not Seek Its Own.”
Real love looks outward, not inward, and puts the needs of
others before our own.
Real Love “Is Not Provoked.”
Real love is not touchy or irritable. Real love acts lovingly and
thoughtfully. Real love handles anger in a healthy and loving
way.
Real Love “Thinks No Evil.”
Real love doesn't keep score and want to get even. It does not
hold grudges. Real love knows God is in control of the outcome.
Real Love “Does Not Rejoice in Iniquity.”
Real love does not engage in gossip or derive satisfaction from
the failings of others.
Real Love “Rejoices in the Truth.”
Real love takes seriously the relationship between what we
believe and what we do. “Putting away our self-destructive
misbeliefs can enable us to rejoice when we find moral courage,
integrity, patience, and faithfulness.”
Real Love “Bears All Things.”
“Love cares enough to keep praying, to take every opportunity
to patiently endure the sin of others, to confront when
necessary, and to forgive when there is repentance."
Real Love “Believes All Things.”
Real love is given power by our faith in God. It grows, and is
sustained, in faith.
Real Love “Hopes All Things.”
Real love lives in hope and optimism, knowing that God has a
plan.
Real Love “Endures All Things.”
Real love never gives up, quits, or walks away. Real love is
based in faith in God and can survive betrayal, mistrust,
disappointment, and failure.
When we contemplate and truly believe how much God loves
us, we can then feel safe to take the risk of loving others.
Reference:
RBC Ministries pamphlet “What is Real Love?” (2002)
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