An Unfailing Love

“Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up.”  (I Corinthians 13:4)

This verse is the first of several that defines what real love is and is not.  Love is patient, willing to wait for what is good and right.  Love is kind, looking for opportunities to do good to others.  I read just today in Warren Wiersbe’s book “Bless You” a quote by a British preacher named John Watson who said, “Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a battle”.  I have no doubt that is true.  Love can go a long way in winning many of the battles that we face.  Love is not jealous or envious because real love is sure of itself.

Real love doesn’t boast about itself.  It just does its job without whining and complaining.  It doesn’t behave selfishly, that is, it does not pick and choose who to love, but loves everyone that God loves and seeks the best for them.  Real love doesn’t consider itself better than others, but esteems others better than itself.  It doesn’t say, “My way or the highway”.  Love remains consistent and is not moody and dependent upon circumstances.

Love doesn’t carry around a chip on its shoulder just daring for someone to knock it off.  It doesn’t have pity parties for itself nor does it become gleeful at other’s calamities.  Love promotes justice and truth.  Love is loyal.  It bears its own responsibilities, believes the truth, brings a sense of hope in all situations, and endures through trials and testings.  And even in the most trying and desperate situations, real love never fails.

How many of us exemplify this kind of love?