Agape love

"Love is patient, love is kind and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant, does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered, does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; bears . . . believes . . . hopes . . . endures all things" 1 Corinthians 13:4–7

To love and to be loved is the foundation of our existence. Love must stretch and adjust. Love demonstrates a willingness to put up with people. It has self-restraint. Godly love does not come from a weak person, but rather a meek person. Inflexible love is not true love. It is covert manipulation. It is conditional when it insists on its desire and it turns into a time bomb that explodes when frustrated. Sincere love, on the other hand, willingly waits! It is not assertive or demanding. Though it has its limits, its borders are far-reaching. It neither controls nor coerce. It is not clingy or insecure. Genuine love is not short-sighted, self-centered, or indifferent. It is on the lookout for needs and does what is best for the other person without being told. Love is not blind and it is considerate. It is willing to do good even to those who are irritating. It is willing to put up a lot and gives out a lot. It does not covet and does not harbor bitterness. It does not brag about its own abilities or achievements. It is gracious and seeks out to edify. All these characteristics of love were manifested by our Lord Jesus Christ. As followers of Christ, we are admonished to grow towards Christlikeness regularly. The ability to love is a result of consistently yielding to the power of the Holy Spirit working within. “Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives” (Galatians 5:25).

Blessings,

Noel De Guzman

www.my-wbc.com