Devotional Story on Love - January

1 Corinthians 13:1-13 is a familiar scripture to many believers, and even those who are not familiar with Christianity know John 3:16. Both of these chapters have something in common and it’s the word “Love.” 

 

Going through these two chapters with the women–we all recognize how much we need to consistently go to God in humility and ask him to teach us how to love. 

 

Verse 4 talks about how love is patient and kind. Love does not envy, does not boast, is not proud, does not dishonor others, is not self-seeking, is not easily angered and keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with truth. Love always protects, always trusts, always hopes and always perseveres. 

 

We all came to the realization of how little we possess these attributes–yet they are  indicators of real love in our lives. The DuHope women shared how easy it is to love someone you are close to, like your friend or those who are always nice to you. But the difficulty arises in loving strangers, or people who have hurt us or betrayed us–even when it is family. And what about people who have committed serious crimes like murder? How do you love such people? How do you even begin that journey?

 

As human beings we are incapable of loving others like God loves us. It can even be hard to love ourselves sometimes, so we turn to the creator of love to help us. John 3:16 tells us how God loved us so much He gave His one and only son to die for our sins.

 

When we pursue God on a daily basis in prayer and study, He will teach us how to love others genuinely, even those so hard to love. When we admit we can’t do it on our own without God’s help, and come to him in total surrender, He will teach us and equip us with all we need to truly love. Without love, life becomes empty and doesn’t make sense, and our existence becomes a waste of time.

 

When we live a life of love we make a huge difference– and that’s what this world needs now.