New Covenant Life--Faith, Hope and Love - Lesson 21

Love. What is it? Scripture says "Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love." (1 John 4:7b-8). Love is defined as "God's willful direction toward man. It involves God doing what He knows is best for man and not necessarily what man desires." (Zodhiates) The characteristics of God's love is patience, kindness, doesn't envy, doesn't boast, isn't proud. It is not rude, not self-seeking, not easily angered, keeps no record of wrongs. Love doesn't delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. (1 Corinthians 13:4-7) Replace the word "love" in this passage with the word "God" and really take in the powerful message of God's love. We can rejoice in His love and trust that He is loving us right now .... this minute, the next minute, and so on. Because of His love toward us, we can show love to others. Remember the great truth in 1 Corinthians 13:13, "But now faith, hope, love, abide these three; but the greatest of these is love." (Chapter 9, page 102)