"Love Suffereth Long, And Is Kind"

I Corinthians 13:4

There is much more to love than syrupy, sentimental words. Love is known by its deeds, deeds demonstrating a commitment of heart and determination of good toward another. Here are two characteristics of love. Wherever you find love you will find these two things.

LOVE IS LONGSUFFERING. Love, when abused, is slow to anger. When affronted, it does not strike back. It is not rash, resentful, or revengeful. Love is forbearing and forgiving. It bears offences and forgives them. It bears faults in its object and forgives them. Love overlooks evil and finds excuses for the misdeeds of the one loved, not because it has to, but because it wants to.

LOVE IS ALSO KIND. It is liberal, generous, bountiful. What will love withhold? Love does good, not injury. Love is cordial, courteous, and compassionate, not morose, churlish, and ill-tempered. If you love someone, you accommodate yourself to their needs, manners, capacities, and circumstances. Love is not demanding, but yielding. Love is never found tearing down the name, character, or reputation of its object. It builds its object up. Love is not destructive, but edifying. Love does not envy the good another enjoys, but rejoices in it.

"Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God and knoweth God. He that loveth not knoweth not God: for God is love" (I John 4:7-8).

Don Fortner