Many people list 1 Corinthians chapter 13 among their favorite bible verses. It’s often called, “The Love Chapter” because…well…this:
“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.”
(1 Corinthians 13:4)
This is not one of my favorite bible verses. I’m not encouraged when I read it. It makes me tired. I don’t like ANY of the things that love requires. I can’t stand being patient and I enjoy boasting quite a bit. I’m constantly self seeking. It annoys me to control my anger. I keep an impeccable record of wrongs and the truth often frustrates me.
The reason many people like this passage is they have no intention of applying it to themselves. The only way to find The Love Chapter encouraging is to assume it was written for other people.
Love is a wonderful thing when you’re receiving it but love is a terrible thing to give. If you disagree, then you’re probably not using the description of love from 1 Corinthians. You’ve created a mixture of emotions and romanticism that you’re calling, “love.” Real love rejoices in the truth and the truth is totally disconnected from your feelings.
Love is active. It doesn’t wash over you like a tidal wave. It doesn’t hit you like a lightning bolt from Heaven. You can’t “fall in love” against your will. Love, according to the bible, doesn’t happen accidentally. It takes effort.
Personally, I hate putting effort into things that don’t benefit me. Since it is not self-seeking, I intensely dislike putting effort into love. The only time love doesn’t stink, is when somebody else is doing it.
One Response
What about seeing I Corinthians 13 as a description of God’s love? We fail to imitate it, though sometimes we try, but it remains constant for us, because God never changes and never fails. J.