Some qualities of love: Part 2
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Searching the Scriptures
David A. Bass, Rockford Church of Christ
Love is more than just words spoken. Love is able to be seen. God, through the apostle Paul, defines love by giving several characteristics or qualities of it.
“Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. Charity never faileth:” (I Corinthians 13:4-8). The King James Version translates the word “love” as “charity.”
Last time we noticed that 1) “love suffereth long, 2) and is kind; 3) love envieth not.”
“Love vaunteth not itself.” Basically speaking, love is not boastful! True love does not brag what it has or what it does. The New King James Version reads, “love does not parade itself.” It does not parade about to show off its attainments or possessions. Love causes a person to be humble. It never causes one to have an air of superiority over another.
Love has no need to be boastful, for it is the greatest thing in the world. The sun has no need of boasting nor does a rainbow or the sea. The beauty and greatness is so unmistakable that there is no need for bragging or boasting. It is the man who is insecure and uncertain of himself who must strut and swagger. Love will cause us to elevate others around us and not to try and show our own superiority.
“Love is not puffed up.” This is an inward arrogance or haughtiness while the last characteristic was an outward manifestation. The man who is inwardly arrogant or haughty will parade himself about. Love is not “puffed up” or inflated with a sense of self-importance.
Some of the Christians in the city of Corinth were proud of their spectacular spiritual gifts, especially their ability to speak in “tongues.” As a result, they were “puffed up” because of their gifts, and they were anxious to flaunt them in the eyes of their brethren.
“Love doeth not behave itself unseemly.” Love is never “rude” or “offensive.” Instead, love will cause us to be courteous! This is what will prompt simple gestures such as “please” and “thank you.” Love will cause us to be thoughtful toward others, especially our mate, children, parents, etc. This quality
of love will cause us to treat others with the golden rule, “do unto others as you would have them do unto you.”
“Love seeketh not its own.” Love is never selfish! This quality is seen best perhaps in God Himself.
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16). God unselfishly gave His Son.
We also see this quality of love shown by a mother to her children. A mother will give everything that she has unselfishly for her children, even her life if necessary. Love will cause us to put others’ needs and desires ahead of our own.
Lord willing, we will continue this next time.
Visit with us at the Rockford Church of Christ. We are just down from Dollar General on U.S.
Highway 231. We meet on Sunday for Bible study at 9 a.m. and worship at 10:00. Come and be our honored guest. Search the Scriptures!
