All For Love by MOPS InternationalSample

DAY 2: Jesus' Love in Action

The kind of love Jesus’ offers is hard to imagine - because it is perfect, and we are not. The best way to understand each of the attributes listed in 1 Corinthians 13 is to see how they were lived out in the life of Jesus. Take each attribute and give an example of how Jesus lived it out. 

Love is patient. It is slow to anger. It navigates others’ imperfections and faults by giving them time to change. It provides space for others to remedy their mistakes without condemnation. Jesus is patient.

Love is kind. Rooted in a Greek word meaning useful, kindness strives to show love through being helpful in practical ways. Kindness motivates others toward positive change. Jesus is kind.

Love does not envy or boast. It does not want what others have. It does not try to impress others by bragging or exaggerating. It genuinely celebrates the success of others. Jesus does not envy or boast.

Love is not arrogant or rude. It does not needlessly offend. It is tactful, sensitive to others’ feelings, and is careful to communicate in ways others can hear. Love has good EQ. Jesus is not arrogant or rude.

Love does not insist on its own way. Love does not demand that it is always right. It is not selfish. It considers others’ ideas and has a teachable spirit. Jesus does not insist on his own way.

Love is not irritable or resentful. It does not have a temper and never makes others feel like they are walking on eggshells. It isn’t easily offended. It does not tally others’ mistakes or hold grudges. Love forgives. Jesus is not irritable or resentful.

Love does not rejoice in wrongdoing but rejoices with the truth. If someone you don’t like messes up, love doesn’t gloat. Love sensitively confronts sin and follows a biblical path of correction. It celebrates honesty, even if it’s difficult to hear. Jesus does not rejoice in wrongdoings but rejoices with the truth.

Love bears all things. The word for bears is sometimes translated to covers. Love protects. It doesn’t gossip or spread information about others. It never uses sarcasm or jokes to put others down. Love defends the character of others. Jesus bears all things.

Love believes all things. It is not suspicious. If there is an issue, love doesn’t immediately blame the other person. Love believes the other person is innocent until proven guilty. Jesus believes all things.

Love hopes for all things. It believes in hope. It isn’t pessimistic. Love refuses to take failure as final. It does not ignore reality but trusts that anything is possible with God. Jesus hopes for all things.

Love endures all things. It holds up under trial. The Greek word for endures is a military term meaning to sustain the assault of an enemy. Love perseveres. Jesus endures all things.