Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. -1 Corinthians 13:4-8 (ESV)
This past Sunday we focused on 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 and will continue in the passage this coming Sunday. Years ago, I came across where Jerry Bridges had put the content of these verses into actions statements. I found this to be simple, yet helpful and wanted to post it here for your reflection as we continue to study this passage together. In his book, The Discipline of Grace, Bridges wrote:
It is easy to consent to the primacy of love and yet so difficult to practice it. Some years ago, in an effort to help me put “shoe leather” to the concept of love, I stated a couple of verses from the great love chapter, 1 Corinthians 13, as action statements. As you read over these action statements from verses 4 and 5, ask yourself how you are doing in your day-to-day practice of love.
“I am patient with you because I love you and want to forgive you.”
“I am kind to you because I love you and want to help you.”
“I do not envy your possessions or your gifts because I love you and want you to have the best.”
“I do not boast about my attainments because I love you and want to hear about yours.”
“I am not proud because I love you and want to esteem you before myself.”
“I am not rude because I love you and care about your feelings.”
“I am not self-seeking because I love you and want to meet your needs.”
“I am not easily angered by you because I love you and want to overlook your offenses.”
“I do not keep a record of your wrongs because I love you, and ‘love covers a multitude of sins.’” (pgs. 38-39)
Written by Matt Baker