How should we love our spouse, our
family, our acquaintances, indeed all mankind?
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| How then should we love? (Bill Hunt c 2011) |
How then should we love? The 2nd
Great Commandment expresses the rule of love for relationships. “Love
your neighbor as yourself.” The Golden Rule, “Do to others as you
would have them do to you,” pretty well gives us a concept on how
this should function. However, 1 Corinthians 13: 4-8 (NIV) gives us
the details, the Rules of Love.
Love is patient. I will calmly
wait and endure a situation even if it inconvenient, without
complaining.
Love is kind. I will be
considerate, warm, generous, sensitive, and understanding toward
others. This is an expression of love suiting all relations in
society with or without intimacy.
It does not envy. I will not be
jealous of, nor covet another person's benefits, friends, or
possessions. In fact, I will rejoice for his good fortune.
It does not boast. I will not
brag or talk with pride about my accomplishments, performance, or
other benefits. In fact, silence is best. Let others proclaim your
deeds, my dad always said.
It is not proud. I will not
consider myself with undo merit above others, nor express myself in
such a way. I know my strengths are counterbalanced by my weaknesses.
Of all things I do know or accomplish, there are far more I don't.
It is not rude. I will not
consider or treat others with contempt or disdain. There is much
hidden value in every person. Therefore, I will treat all others with
respect.
It is not self-seeking. Every
baby is born with a give-me attitude for survival. I realize the
noble measure of adult maturity is rather giving, self-sacrificing,
and promoting the benefit of others. “For in giving, we receive.”
It is not easily angered. Anger
is an emotion of defense that can be justified or not. Expressing
wrath in relationships can be devastating. In fact, the scripture
calls it murder. In relationships, the advice to never let the sun
set on your anger is best. Your relation needs peace, but so do you.
It keeps no record of wrongs.
Forgiveness is the key to relationship. And forgiveness works if it
is unconditional. It matters not one speck who is at fault or who
offended first. The first one to heart-fully forgive wins! When one
repents, God himself perfectly forgives and perfectly forgets. No one
who fails to forgive can be admitted to eternal life.
Love does not delight in evil.
Bless and do not curse. Never take the side of evil and sin. God can
allow no evil or sin in his presence. The redeeming sacrifice of
Jesus for us was the greatest act of love. “Never let the sin in
others or the sin in yourself defeat you.”
But rejoices with the truth. God
is Truth. The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of Truth. Jesus is the Way,
the Truth, and the Life. God calls us to rejoice in all things. We
can do this because he is the Beginning and End of all things. No
other standard will stand before him. And Joy is such a key to
successful relationship!
Paul summarizes the function of Love.
“It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always
perseveres.”
--Bill
Hunt
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