The Way of Love

A little more than half a century after Jesus' death and resurrection, the apostle Paul founded a church in the city of Corinth, Greece.  After he left the church, he heard some disturbing news. Some prickly characters had occupied the church at Corinth-folks filled with pride and who were bickering with one another. Some were immoral. Others were suing each other in court.

 

They fought over food sacrificed to idols and were at each other's throats over worship. The Corinthians didn't know how to love one another! So, Paul put pen to paper to correct them, sometimes severely but always in love. He wrote, "I am not writing these things to shame you, but to warn you as my beloved children" (1 Corinthians 4:14 NLT). He loved them even though they weren't living the love they'd been given.

We are God's beloved too, and sometimes we don't live the love we've been given either. But God doesn't shame us; rather, He shows us the way to love by demonstrating it.

He says to you, his beloved, “my kind of love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous, or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every situation” (13:4-7 NLT).

God teaches you the way of love by loving you well. He loves you with patience and kindness. He loves you by never giving up or walking out on you. God loves you perfectly because he has love.

God’s love, turns ordinary individuals like us with all sorts of differences into one family, diverse but dedicated to each other. It overcomes division and overlook differences. It never demands uniformity, but always brings unity.

God teaches you the way of love because he loves you deeply. He shows you the way of love so you will walk the path of love, giving to others what you have received from him. So, “beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God” (1 John 4:7 NKJV).

Devotions from: 66 Ways God Loves You by Jennifer Rothschild