Good morning,
Valentine’s day is this Friday. It is the day, each year, when we think about love for others. We buy heart shaped candies and flowers for our loved ones.
But what is love? Who is love? How should we express our love for others?
Love should be an everyday event in our lives.
GOD IS LOVE
Definition of God’s Love
Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. Charity never faileth:
The following is a description of agape love, also called “charity” in the New Testament (1 Cor. 13). This paraphrase is based upon research of the Greek and English words and their meanings in 1 Cor. 13:4-8.
LOVE SUFFERETH LONG. God’s love has a tolerance for and endures trying situations and persons beyond an average standard. God’s love is patient.
LOVE IS KIND. God’s love is of a friendly nature, generous, hospitable, warm-hearted, and good. God’s love is charitable and helpful, showing sympathy and understanding for others. It is considerate, forbearing, tolerant, courteous, and thoughtful, desiring only to promote another’s welfare. It is generous, liberal, and beneficial, demonstrating itself in kindly acts.
LOVE ENVIETH NOT. God’s love does not resent another’s good fortune or desire to have what is his. God’s love is not jealous and does not deprive another of what he has.
LOVE VAUNTETH NOT ITSELF. God’s love does not boast and brag or abound with self-praise. It is not vain nor proud.
LOVE IS NOT PUFFED UP. God’s love is not high-minded or puffed up with pride.
LOVE DOTH NOT BEHAVE ITSELF UNSEEMLY. God’s love does not act, react, function, or perform in a manner which is in bad taste, improper, or in violation of what is right.
LOVE SEEKETH NOT HER OWN. God’s love does not demand its own way.
Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com
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