Becoming a great lover . . . Part 4

Over the past 3 days blog postings I have described and defined 12 of the specific 16 characteristics of true Biblical love as seen in First Corinthians 13. If you have not read these previous 3 articles, I would encourage you to do so before reading this fourth and final posting on this topic. In fact, even if you have been reading along each day, let me challenge you to go back and review the previous 3 articles before reading this posting. My prayer is that God will use these principles to make you a greater lover.

Love Believes All Things (v7). This describes a person who believes in you and is not always suspicious of you. If there is doubt, love chooses to believe that which is positive

The final 3 characteristics speak of the same concept but they increase in intensity along the way. These make it very clear that love is not a feeling but a choice.

Love Hopes All Things (v7). This describes a person who does not bail out at the first mistake or misfortune.

Love Endures All Things (v7). This Greek word was a military term used to speak of an army holding a vital position at all costs. This describes a person who is willing to endure great opposition and still love you.

Love Never Fails (v8). This Greek word was used to speak of final failure. This describes a person whose love never falls to ruin or destruction. This love is seen in the way God loves us (Romans 8:35, 38-39).

The book of First John also has much to teach us about what true, Biblical love really is. Take time over the weekend to look up each of these references from First John and mediate on these principles of real love. Ask God to make each of these principles more real within you as you relate toward your spouse, your kids, your parents, those at your church, your co-workers, your neighbors, and even strangers that you meet.

• Real love is produced by God & demands personal knowledge of God (I John 4:7, 8)
• Real love does not need a response in order to function (I John 4:10)
• Real love is best seen by what it does (I John 3:17, 18)
• Real love is defined by its ability to give (I John 3:16)
• Real love is developed by obedience to God (I John 2:5)
• Real love is hidden by sin in our lives (I John 3:11, 12)