February is known for Valentine’s Day. It is the day that we celebrate love in all its aspects, but especially romantic love. As Christians, though we experience romantic love, we are commanded by Christ to walk in love. However, relationships of all types can make it difficult to demonstrate love consistently.
Some individuals can say and do things that make it difficult to love, but easy to dislike and despise. But, the command to love came in light of all these things.Last week, we discussed the sensitivity of love. Love cares and is the clearest expression of compassion. However, the sentiments and emotions of love are not blind and ignorant. True Christian love is sensible. Paul describes The Sensibility of Love when he states that it does not sing its own praise, it is arrogant, it is not rude, it does not think about itself, nor is it irritable.
It doesn’t sing its own praises. It isn’t arrogant. It isn’t rude. It doesn’t think about itself. It isn’t irritable. 1 Cor 13:4-5 (GW)
Many say that they are operating in love when they are not. How many times have we done things in full consideration of how we will be affected? If some are honest inwardly, their acts of love sometimes were motivated by personal gain which commonly is characterized by the appreciation of others. As we consider Paul’s statements, let us examine ourselves, endeavoring to be true demonstrators of God’s love.
It does not sing its own praises. It isn’t arrogant. There are many who perform good works and acts of kindness in the name of Christian and brotherly love. However, they are not satisfied until they tell the world of what they did and how they did it and who they did it for. Some boast in their acts of benevolence and philanthropy. Yet, Christians should be satisfied with the reward awaiting them in heaven. Even if no one tells you thank you, if you were motivated by love, your satisfaction should be that I demonstrated God’s love and someone was blessed.
It isn’t rude. It is not irritable. Last week we discussed that love is sensitive. If we are walking in love, we will not be rude as we perform good works and in our personal interactions. Love should cause us to walk in humility and to speak with wisdom. In addition, we cannot allow the good that we have shown others to be the grounds to talk to people in ungodly fashions. Some believe that if they have done something good for another, they have the right to talk to them any kind of way. This is untrue and not like Christ.
Moreover, do not become annoyed with individuals because of their need for your love. Love should be limitless. Some become irritated with others stating that they are tired of ‘listening,’ ‘doing,’ and ‘being there.’ This may be a sign that the good shown was not born out of true Christian love. God does not get tired of demonstrating His love and compassion to us when we fall, if we come to Him sincerely. He sees our need. We have to emulate this attitude to avoid becoming irritated with others to whom we have shown compassion.
It does not think about itself. A clear sign of true love in operation is its selflessness. Jesus endured all things because He loved. We sometimes are preoccupied with personal comfort in our demonstration of love characterized by good works. We sometimes say in ourselves, “What will others think if I do this for them?” – “Will I get my money back?” – “Will they appreciate what I did?’” and the like. However, love does what it does without self consideration. Jesus did not avoid the cross because every may not receive Him. Yet, He willingly gave His life knowing that many would still reject Him and His work. His example should inspire us to have this motto, “I do what I do because I love, with appreciation for your reception while not being moved by your rejection.
It is true. Everyone will not appreciate what you do. Everyone may not treat you well even after you demonstrate love. This is why you need love’s sensibility. It helps to keep you humble when accepted and to keep you focused when rejected. We can sometimes do what we do for an expected outcome. But if we never get the thanks or see the fruit of our labor of love in an individual’s life, remember, we love because He loved us.
February is known for Valentine’s Day. It is the day that we celebrate love in all its aspects, but especially romantic love. As Christians, though we experience romantic love, we are commanded by Christ to walk in love. However, relationships of all types can make it difficult to demonstrate love consistently. Some individuals can say and do things that make it difficult to love, but easy to dislike and despise. But, the command to love came in light of all these things.
