In the last post we talked about grace. If that is the hardest, why do we find it so hard to love? I'm of the simple opinion that we do love but just don't always know how to express it. I'm not one who just goes around saying "I love you," to everyone I meet. I tend to show love in a more active manner.
Let's start off by saying that we are talking about agape love. This is a Greek term that describes the ultimate love we should feel for God and the love He feels for us. It is anything but simple or finite. It's all consuming. It is how He allowed Christ to die on the cross. He loves each of us so much, He didn't intervene (which He could have).
Paul gives us a famous section in 1 Corinthians (which we've heard numerous times at weddings), but today let's break it down and look at each section individually.
First, Love is Patient and Kind
Does anyone out there have a short fuse, when it comes to their temper? Can one wrong glance send you "over the edge?" Well, true love does not have a short fuse, it's patient. In the old text they use the word macrothymia to describe love. Macro means large or long, while thymia is a term used to describe heat, passion or anger. We actually get the word thermometer from thymia. The literal translation of macrothymia is "long-tempered." This lead us into love being kind. I'm sure you know someone who no matter what seems to happen they can keep their cool and their feathers don't really get ruffled. That is the prime example of love being kind. We see it in Matthew 11:28-30 - "Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light." The term yoke refers to your center (as the yoke is the central part of the egg). If your yoke is light, then you have little stress in your life and are more able to go with the flow.
Second, Love is Not Jealous or Arrogant
We've all seen that one guy who no matter where his girlfriend/wife goes is always in overprotective mode. He doesn't trust anyone, and if any male should happen to say a simple "Hi" to he goes off. he is not secure enough in his relationship/self and it comes off as him being insecure. This is not love. Love is secure. On the other side of the spectrum you'll find that one guy who's all about "showing off" his relationships. This is just another form of insecurity. It's like they walk around with a neon sign that says, "Hey look at us! We're in love!" While it's nice to be affectionate, it comes off as just, well lack of a better term arrogant. Agape love is humble. It's not boastful.
Third, Love is Charming
When I say charming, I don't mean like a snake charmer. I mean it's sweet sounding. Not mushy sweet, but it's pleasing and delightful. We all know that older couple who seems like they've been married for years, and no matter the situation (even in an argument) seem to use the softest words possible. That's love being charming. Now, I'm not married, but I can say that's where I would seek marriage advice, not from pop-psychologists.
Fourth, Love has a Thick Skin
Love, no True Love, does not keep a list of wrongs that someone has done. Love forgets and forgives. I hate the saying, "love means never having to say your sorry." That's completely wrong! Love means exactly the opposite, it means recognizing when you've done wrong and apologizing for it! However, that is where true love forgives and forgets. Now should you become a walking doormat? NO! But, you can't go through life always writing people off for the wrongs people have done to you. We need to forgive just like we were forgiven.
Final Thought
Love loves truth! According to the bible it "rejoices in truth" (1 Corinthians 13:6). How many funerals have you been to where you hear someone say that they never said they loved someone enough, when that person was alive? For some unexplained reason, we bottle love up and store it for a rainy day. That's whats great about love! There is an unmeasurable amount to go around. We control how much love we create and give. It's up to us! So don't wait to say it, just let it out. Let those around you know how much you care. So for those of you I don't say it enough to I Love You!
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