The Way of Love

1 Corinthians 13:13 - Three things will last forever—faith, hope, and love—and the greatest of these is love. 

1 Corinthians 13:7 -  Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance. 

Love is everything. You are made by love, for love, to love, and to be loved. God changed your life by love, for love, because He loved you.  And now you will experience a life of love, true love, like you never dreamed possible. And you need it for the changing life ahead of you. You need the love of God and you need the love of others. And along the way, you will get to love others.  Love is a way of life; it is thee way of the changing life.   You can have a lot of things, be great at some things, be strong and smart,  be nearly perfect in fact, but if you don’t have love God says you don’t have anything; you are nothing.  There is no question about it: love is everything.

Why?

Love is patient and you will need patience for this journey.  You will need to be patient with yourself and others will need to be patient with you. That’s love.

Love is kind. You will need kindness for this journey. When you fail, falter, misstep, don't punish yourself or degrade yourself - love yourself through it. Be kind to yourself. Receive the kindness of others. Remember God's loving kindness that is yours. 

Love is not jealous. Meaning, it doesn’t compare journeys. 

Love is not prideful. You do not need pride for this journey. Pride will hinder your journey. It will only get in the way. 

Love does not boast.  As you life changes, God's work in you will speak for itself. You do not need to tell everyone about your success.  People will be able to see it. Let the love in your life pour forth and God will be seen.  

Love remembers no wrongs.  Love forgives. As your life changes you will experience relationships that will hurt you; betrayals. But, you can't hold on to them. You have to let them go. And at some point you need to forget about the hurts. You need to forgive people. No keeping score.

Love never fails. Love never gives up. Never looks back. Love keeps going. Love never ends.  It never runs out.  

So.  No doubt about it. You need love.  It’s the best way to live and it is key to your life in God.

More: 1 Corinthians 13