The Virtues of Love

True love is more than emotional feelings, love is motional. True love longs to do something for others regardless whether or not they are friend or foe. True love must give and many times the giving can be costly. Imagine how much it cost God to give to us, the undeserving, to love the world. John 3:16. True love does not find it difficult to fellowship with each other or to love one another. A family where there isn’t any love for each other is not normal. If a sister dislikes a brother or visa versa this is unnatural. Born again people possess the Holy Spirit, the  Spirit bears fruit and “the fruit of the Spirit is love.” Gal 5:22 “ If you love me, keep my commandments ”  John 14:15, and He commanded us to love one another.

Pure love is patient and kind. It is not jealous, nor does it brag and is not arrogant. When pure love is wronged it does not respond in unrighteousness, but rejoices in the truth. Pure love always thinks of others first. It never seeks its own interest. Pure love is not easily provoked.

When it is hurt  or injured it asks God to forgive them regardless of what has been done. When Jesus was hanging from the cross He said “ Father forgive them, for they know not what they do.” When Stephen was being stoned to death he prayed “ Father, lay not this sin to their charge.” Real love does not keep score when injured and does not hold a grudge, but forgives immediately. Perfect love does not find joy in hurting others, any happiness  in sin, but rejoices in the truth. Unconditional love supports, holds up, and covers, protects like an umbrella. It gives everyone the benefit of the doubt. There are going to be times when it seems that everyone is against us. People are seemingly losing their heads all around you, but unconditional love always has hope and expects the best.