Love Never Fails

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, 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. 

Love never fails.  1 Corinthians 13:4-8a 

There is so much going on in the world today.  The world has always been a place with uncertainty that surrounds us, and we at times feel that we are destined to succumb to it at some point.  However, I’m reminded at church that through it all, we must be shining examples as Christ.  Many do not understand it.  At times, I do not know if I understand others.  However, I lean on the power of Jesus to inspire inside of me that which is good and to keep me on the righteous path.  How?  The answer is simple. Love.  It is the one thing that I can always draw on that keeps me strong.  It is the endless reservoir of hope that always seems to keep those around me feeling it will be alright.  It’s kept my wife and me together through thick and thin.  It never fails. 

We must continue to fall back on the love Christ has for us and share it with others.  There have been many things that love has been characterized as.  Often, it is referred to by others as soft, a sign of weakness, and unnecessary in times of uncertainty.  However, I would argue that it is quite the opposite.  It is strong when others are feeling weak.  It is difficult to display when you must love one undeserving of it.  And yes, it is entirely necessary in times of uncertainty because when everything else is uncertain, God’s love for us is certain.  As the first part of verse 8 says, “Love never fails.”  Never. 

There is nothing that is more powerful than God’s love.  Lynne Hybels was troubled by some of the things happening with a group of women that were rescued from the terrorist group ISIS.  In hearing their story, she wrote: 

As a Christian, I feel compelled to combat the distortions of twisted religion, misused power and entrenched and evil patriarchal systems with the loving and liberating way of Jesus. 

The loving and liberating way of Jesus is the answer against all the hurt and evil that at times seems to attack our sense of morality nonstop.  We must fight with both the courage and love of God.  That is how we overcome a world determined to destroy others.  Let us not be faint of heart.  Let us push forward with ‘the loving and liberating way of Jesus.’  What is suppressing your ability to love more today?  How can you let God’s love fill your heart to share with others?  My prayer is that we are willing to have the strength to love for God’s love never fails.  Amen.