In the book of Corinthians, the apostle Paul shares profound insights on living in accordance with the teachings of Jesus Christ. He places a significant emphasis on the transformative power of love in our interactions with others. Love, in the context of these verses, is not merely a feeling but a deeply impactful action.

1 Corinthians 13:4-7 reminds us of what genuine love looks like:

• Love is patient and kind.
• It doesn’t envy or boast, nor is it proud.
• It doesn’t dishonor others or seek self-interest.
• It doesn’t easily get angered and keeps no record of wrongs.
• Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.
• It always protects, trusts, hopes, and perseveres.

An intriguing exercise encourages us to substitute our own name for the word ‘love.’ This simple act of self-reflection can unveil profound insights into our own actions and attitudes. It was through this practice that I personally realized my impatience and my desire for things to unfold according to my own timetable. When minor inconveniences occurred, I struggled to conceal my frustration. However, upon deeper reflection, I prayed for God to help me shed my impatience, allowing me to radiate His light and His love.

The beauty of this revelation lies in the fact that God doesn’t require us to love others with our own limited love. Rather, when Jesus sacrificed Himself on the cross, He bestowed upon us an abundance of love. Our role is to channel this love toward others, just as Jesus loved us unconditionally.

1 Corinthians 13:8 states, “Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away.” This verse not only highlights the enduring nature of love but also acknowledges the inevitability of conflicts and disruptions in our lives. It is a realistic perspective, recognizing that our journey won’t always be smooth sailing. Nevertheless, we possess the knowledge of how Jesus loves us, and we have a supportive community to lean on. Can we trust God to mend the fractures in our relationships, allowing us to return to a love that perseveres?

The truth is, love isn’t always about rainbows and butterflies; it’s about confronting our inner struggles and confronting what is ugly within ourselves to love as Jesus loved us. We must remember that God didn’t design us to love for the sake of avoiding conflict or minor disagreements. True love seeks to build one another up in the likeness of God’s love.

The verse also mentions, “it keeps no record of wrongdoings.” As we strive to love, let’s strive to do so unconditionally, without dwelling on past grievances. We cannot release this hurt on our own; we must learn to surrender it to God.

As we approach the coming week, I encourage you to challenge yourself to reflect deeply. Ask yourself:

• What might be holding you back from loving others unconditionally?
• Are you only extending love to those who share your opinions or are similar to you?
• How can you show love to people you encounter during your daily routines?
• What changes can you make to confidently replace the word ‘love’ with your own name in that verse?

Let’s close with a prayer: “Heavenly Father, we praise you for today. We thank you for loving us first, enabling us to love others in alignment with your will. Please continue to instruct us on how to love in our daily lives and allow us to embody your teachings with everyone around us. Grant us the strength to reflect on our actions and the courage to transform ourselves in the light of your love, dear Jesus. We love you. Amen!”