Love Endures All Things

What is love?  The definition of love is found only once in the Bible: “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).  Let’s continue to give ourselves a biblical “love” test by looking closely at the words and phrases used to describe love. The fifteenth biblical descriptor of love is “endures all things.” Note the word “all.”  All means all!  This love refuses to quit.  It doesn’t give up at the first sign of hardship.  Instead, it actively chooses to persevere in the conquering of evil.  Injustice.  Hatred. Agape love understands that all humans are born into sin.  But instead of giving in to sin, or giving up on a fellow sinner, Jesus’s love keeps on persevering.  This love is determined to wait on the Lord to bring others to repentance, knowing that doing so allows God’s timing to draw someone to the overcoming life in Christ. Love that endures all things believes that God’s love is stronger than all sin.  It takes a stand against judging others believing that no one can sin more than God’s grace can forgive.  No one. Ever.  How are you doing with this part of God’s love test?   Before you answer, consider this: When you face hardship, where do you turn?  Does your love persevere?  Do you believe that His grace is enough for anyone? I think now you are ready to answer. “Love endures all things…”