Today's Passage - 1 Corinthians 13:4

1 Corinthians 13:4   Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.      Paul said, "Love is patient, love is kind". The love he is describing does not come from man. Peter asked Jesus, "How many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me? Up to seven times?" Jesus answered, "Not seven times, but seventy-seven times. Jesus was not really asking us to count seventy-seven, but to point out that we need to have enduring love. Enduring love does not come from the human nature, but from God.   First, we need to allow God to love us. Jesus said, "As I have loved you, love one another." If you never received love, it is impossible to love one another. We can only love one another to the extent we have experienced the love of the Lord. In other words, the degree we can love one another depends on the degree we have experienced God's love.  If you have never experienced the love that is patient and kind, you can never be patient and kind toward other brothers and sisters.   Paul goes on to say, "Love does not boast, it is not proud." Boasting and being prideful is the wrong response when we receive grace. The human nature has the wrong concept of merit.  We think that if we receive God's grace we must be doing pretty well.  We often talk about grace, but do not understand that grace comes freely. It is not because we are worthy or because we have earned it.  God dispenses grace at His will and His pleasure. Spiritual gifts are not necessarily proportional to our devotional life.  The Corinthian church had many spiritual gifts, but they had lots of problems as well.  Spiritual gifts and devotional life both require exercising in order to mature. When we have spiritual gifts, we need to God to help us become humble, so that His love may overflow in our lives.   Next, Paul says, "Love does not envy." Jealousy is a sour attitude. Especially when we see God's grace being bestowed on others, we think, "How can God be so generous towards that kind of person? I am so much better." Although we often sing, "Lord, you are the potter, I am the clay, Mold me and make me according to your way.", whenever we see God blessing others more than ourselves, we will feel uncomfortable, and are unable to rejoice with others. The root of this attitude is that we think we are more deserving than others. Doesn't God act according to His will? Aren't spiritual gifts given to each just as the Holy Spirit determines? We really need to humble ourselves once again and pray that God will have mercy on us.         Pray with Pastor Tong   Lord, we pray that you will examine our hearts once again.  If there is any envy, boasting or pride in our lives, we pray that you will forgive us.  Help us to receive your love once again and see that your love is patient and kind.  Pray that we will receive your love, that we may love others. We thank you and pray in the victorious name of Jesus, Amen!      Find out more about ROLCC Ignite English ministry, a dynamic multi-ethnic young professional congregation!