JEALOUS...

When you were very young, you may have seen someone else get something that you wanted. You were jealous. As you grew older, you may have seen your boyfriend or girlfriend paying attention to someone else and you were jealous.

Perhaps, a friend had a higher paying job than you or a nicer car. You were jealous.

1 Corinthians 13:4 Love is NOT jealous

The Greek word, zēloō, is translated jealous in the King James Version and envious in other translations. It also has the meaning of covetous, which is mentioned as a negative action in the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:17).

If you stop and think about this for even a second it makes sense. Why should love not be jealous, envious, or covetous?

The answer is because these are merely feelings or emotions. God’s kind of love is not based on feelings. God’s kind of love is an act of the will; it is something that you do.

God’s love for us is not conditional on how we behave, what we have, or even how much we love Him back.

But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8 (NASB)

Now that is unconditional love!

Yes, He desires our love in return and He has shown us the way to peace and eternal life with Him through His Son Jesus Christ. However, when we misbehave He does not stop loving us. He may discipline us as any good parent would do, but He does not stop loving us.

Our love for others is not to be based on feelings. Our love is to be like God’s love. It is to be an unconditional act of our will, powered by the perfect love of God through His indwelling Holy Spirit.

SEEK FIRST THE KINGDOM…

KIND...

Have you ever heard the expression “They have kind eyes” or “They look like a kind person”? What is your understanding of the word “kind”? I don’t think it is to be found in a look unless it is to simply see the potential for kindness.

1 Corinthians 13:4 Love is kind

When Paul speaks here of love being kind it is not to mean the way we look. Being kind is an action; it is something that we do. The Greek word, chrēsteuomai (don’t worry I can’t pronounce it either!) means

to show oneself useful, that is, act benevolently:—be kind

(Strong’s Greek Dictionary)

Being kind is being useful to someone. What a concept! Have you ever intentionally thought about being kind to someone? I’m sure you have noticed (or can recall if you try) when someone has been kind or useful to you.

Often we do something for someone else because of the benefit that we receive in return. The “You do something for me and I’ll do something for you” attitude. The difference with being kind to someone with God’s kind of love is not to expect anything in return.

We can usually get on board with being kind to someone that we know and like. But, how about being kind to a stranger? Or even still, what about being kind to someone that we dislike? Listen to these word of Jesus from Luke 6:35 (NASB)

“But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High; for He Himself is kind to ungrateful and evil men.

God’s kind of love is intentional. God’s love is to flow from the person that we are in Christ Jesus in the power of His Spirit.

Be kind to someone this week. Be intentional. Let God’s love flow through you.

SEEK FIRST THE KINGDOM…

PATIENT

As a child, our concept of being patient was waiting until mom and dad got up on Christmas morning so we could open our presents. Making a little extra noise that morning was just an accident!

As we grew older, we learned that being patient is waiting 5 minutes for our hamburger at the drive through window. After all, it should have been ready in 2 minutes tops!

Our patience is also demonstrated when we listen to someone talking about their problems to us. After all, we have problems of our own.

1 Corinthians 13:4… Love is patient

Moses went up on Mount Sinai and waited 40 days and nights to receive the 10 commandments from the Lord. When he came down off the mountain and found the people partying and worshiping a golden calf he broke those tablets. He went back up the mountain and waited another 40 days to receive new tablets (Ex 24:18, 34:28)

Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Sarah…

All these died in faith, without receiving the promises, but having seen them and having welcomed them from a distance, and having confessed that they were strangers and exiles on the earth. ¹⁴For those who say such things make it clear that they are seeking a country of their own. ¹⁵And indeed, if they had been thinking of that country from which they went out, they would have had opportunity to return. ¹⁶But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore, God is not ashamed to be called their God; for He has prepared a city for them. Hebrews 11:13 - 16 (NASB).

They did what was right in God’s eyes waiting patiently for their heavenly reward.

2 Peter 3:9 (NASB) The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.

How long has God been patient with you? Now that is love!

How long do we have to be patient?

Therefore be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. The farmer waits for the precious produce of the soil, being patient about it, until it gets the early and late rains. ⁸You too be patient; strengthen your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is near. James 5:7 - 8 (NASB)