Love Is Not Just a Feeling but A Choice, an Action, and The Highest Calling of Every Believer
đź“– Scripture:
“Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.” — 1 Corinthians 13:4–7
🙌🏻 Devotional:
- Love is patient → True love shows long-suffering and grace, even when others are difficult. It does not rush or give up easily.
- Love is kind → Love acts with gentleness and compassion. It looks for ways to serve and build up others.
- Does not envy → Love is not jealous of others’ blessings, gifts, or successes. Instead, it celebrates them.
- Does not boast, is not arrogant → Love doesn’t seek attention or brag. It is humble and lifts others up.
- Not rude → Love is respectful. It guards against words or actions that demean or dishonor others.
- Does not insist on its own way → Love is selfless. It seeks the good of others, not selfish desires.
- Not irritable or resentful → Love isn’t easily angered, nor does it keep a record of wrongs. It forgives.
- Does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth → Love does not delight in sin, gossip, or harm. It celebrates what is righteous and God-honoring.
- Bears all things → Love protects and covers others, even in hardships.
- Believes all things → Love gives the benefit of the doubt; it trusts in God’s goodness and in people’s potential.
- Hopes all things → Love looks forward with faith and optimism, never giving up on God’s promises.
- Endures all things → Love remains steadfast through trials, suffering, or betrayal—it perseveres.
Paul’s message here is that love is not just a feeling but a choice, an action, and the highest calling of every believer. This kind of love (agape in Greek) reflects God’s love for us—sacrificial, unconditional, and eternal.
👉 Without this kind of love, all service, ministry, and even faith lose their true value (1 Corinthians 13:1–3).
âť“ Reflection Questions
- Which of these qualities of love (patience, kindness, humility, forgiveness, endurance) do I find hardest to live out in my daily life?
- How have I experienced God’s love in the ways described here, and how can I extend that same love to others?
- Do I tend to keep records of wrongs, or am I quicl to forgive as Christ forgave me?
- How can I show more selfless love in my relationships-at home, in friendships, or in my work/ministry?
🙏🏻 Prayer:
Father, thank you for showing me perfect love through Jesus. Help me to live out this kind of love daily to be patient, kind, humble, and forgiving. Fill me Lord with your Spirit so I can bear, believe, hope and endure in love. In Jesus’ name. Amen.