What is Love?

Most of us are familiar with the "love chapter" found in the Bible - 1 Corinthians 13.  We've heard it recited at weddings or may have glanced through the verses ourselves.  But have we ever slowed down and really dug into the passage to see exactly what it says?  Did we let it penetrate us to the point where we are making a conscience effort to love others as we are commanded to do? 

Let's break down what the Word says about true love, the God kind of love, the love that is placed within every person who comes to Christ. (Romans 5:5)

Love is patient (Suffers long, capable of waiting, able to endure delay without becoming annoyed or upset)
Love is kind (Refers to divesting your life. When you divest, you expect nothing in return)
Love is not jealous (Does not stew with envy)
Love does not brag (Bringing attention to oneself, pride on ourselves and our accomplishments)
Love is not arrogant (Making pretensions and claims to importance, excessive pride in onseslf)
Love does not behave rudely (Does not dishonor others, does not act unbecomingly)
Love does not seek its own (Doesn't pursue selfish advantage, not self seeking, lets God "run the show")
Love is not provoked (Not easily angered, irritable, touchy or resentful)
Love thinks no evil (Keeps no record of wrongs, takes no account to evil done to it)
Love rejoices in the truth (Shares the joys of those who live by Truth)
Love bears all things (Knows no limits to its endurance, bears up under anything)
Love believes all things (No end to its trust, ever ready to believe the best in every person)
Love hopes all things (No fading of its hope)
Love endures all things (Endures everything without weakening)
Love never fails (Does not drop away, goes on forever, wins out in the end)

Lord, we want to love like You.  We want to develop true, lasting relationships that are grounded in the love that only comes from You.  You tell us that even if we abound in spiritual gifts, possess all knowledge, give graciously to the poor, sacrifice our lives - but we do not sincerely love others - we have gained nothing.  May Your Word penetrate our spirits so that we can come to a better understanding of what the God kind of love really is.  In Jesus' Name. Amen.