SCRIPTURE:
"It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs."
1 Corinthians 13:5
OBSERVATION:
Love is a word I often assume I understand, until I’m faced with a moment that tests it. Paul’s words remind me that love is more than sentiment; it’s a daily practice, a discipline of the heart, an unshakeable action. The apostle warns the Corinthians (and me!) that all the gifts and knowledge in the world mean nothing if love isn’t at the center. And not just any love, but the kind that honors, is selfless, patient, and forgiving.
When I really examine my heart, I see how easily I let unforgiveness creep in. I take offense too quickly, replay past hurts, and sometimes even justify why these hurts should still matter. But Paul makes it clear. A love that keeps score isn’t love at all. If I’m holding onto past wrongs, I’m not truly loving as Christ commands me to. How often have I needed grace and yet been slow to extend it?
APPLICATION:
If love is my calling and command, then transformation must follow. I need God to recalibrate and reshape my heart completely. That starts with real, intentional action.
I love by putting others before myself.
Not in a way that diminishes my worth, but in a way that elevates theirs. When I genuinely pray for others, serve without expectation, and celebrate their wins as if they were my own, I reflect Jesus. Today, I choose to honor people with my words, actions, and even my thoughts.
I love by managing my emotions.
Letʻs be honest, I can be quick to react, letting frustration or irritation dictate my response. But love isn’t reactive, it’s intentional. Conflict is inevitable, but how I handle it is where love is tested and refined. Instead of keeping peace by avoiding hard conversations, I will pursue peace by responding with wisdom and grace.
I love by choosing forgiveness.
Holding onto offenses weighs me down. But when I remember how much I’ve been forgiven, it shifts everything. Forgiveness isn’t about excusing wrong, it’s about freeing my heart. Today, I choose to release past hurts, not because they don’t matter, but because love matters more.
PRAYER:
Lord, thank you for Your grace upon grace. Help me to love like You do, unconditionally, without keeping score and with a heart that reflects that grace Youʻve given to me. Amen
