Friday, March 20, 2026

Scripture

“Love is patient; love is kind; love is not envious or boastful or arrogant or rude.  It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice in wrongdoing but rejoices in the truth.” 1 Corinthians 13:4-6

Reflections

Do you see yourself as a very loving person?

On a scale of 1 to 10, rate yourself on the following: (A) Love is patient.  (B) Love is kind.  (C) Love is not envious or boastful or arrogant or rude.  (D) Love does not insist on its own way.  (E) Love is not irritable or resentful.  (F) Love does not rejoice in wrongdoing but rejoices in the truth.

This is how the Apostle Paul describes love in 1 Corinthians 13.  How did you score?  Not as well as you would like?  If you need a reminder that you are still human, this may be it.  Gratefully, when we abide in Christ Jesus and his word, we are reminded of God’s great love for us, even as sinners.  He accomplishes a work within us.  We become more loving, more and more like Christ.  As the Apostle Paul wrote, “when the complete comes, the partial will come to an end.” (1 Cor. 13:10)

In the words of Martin Luther, “We are not yet what we shall be but we are growing toward it.  The process is not yet finished but it is going on.  This is not the end but it is the road.  All does not yet gleam in glory but all is being purified.”

Prayer

Lord God, thank you for revealing your way of love through Jesus Christ.  Soften my heart that I might be more loving toward others.  In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Full Reading: 1 Corinthians 13:1-13