Love Never Fails

"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails." 

                            (1 Cor 13:4-8a NIV)

One of the most often requested scripture readings for wedding is from 1 Corinthians, chapter thirteen. It is is very good advice for two people who are about to commit their whole earthly lives to one another. Love does not fail; however, due to our sinful natures we often fail to love. Marriages fall apart because we love ourselves or someone or something else more than the one we have committed to spend the rest of our lives with. Relationships whether it is in a marriage or with other family members or friends will fail because of a lack of love.

God has given us many gifts. Faith, hope, and love being among them. The greatest of these, says St. Paul, is love. (1 Cor 13:13) God has given us love in His Son, Jesus Christ. There is no greater love than a love that is willing to give their very lives for others, even as Jesus gave his life for us. We respond to His love by sharing that love with others.

The love from God does not fail. It can move mountains and crush molehills. His love inspires us to be patient and kind; not disrespecting others, nor being self-seeking, nor angered. Rather, that love inspires us to love God above all things and to love others even as he loves us.

As a friend of mine often says: "Share the love!"

God's Peace - Pr. J.