So here we are – another Valentine’s Day. Whether you love this day or hate it, we can all learn a few things about love from God’s Word.
If you’ve been to a wedding or even at your wedding, you’ve probably heard 1 Corinthians 13—the famous love passage. Many of us tune out because we’ve heard this passage so many times. Instead of tuning out, I’m trying to tune in and learn from these verses. What I want to do in this short post is share three lessons I’m learning from this beautiful passage on love.
We use the word “love” all the time. I love college football. I love coffee. And I really love the TV show This Is Us. In the New Testament, we see the word love used in four different ways (Thanks to my friends at The Porch for this brief, witty explanation of the four types of love in the New Testament).
- Phileo Love: Friendly love. The kind of love that’s sponsoring your Galentine’s Dinner or whatever it is boys do when they don’t have plans.
- Storge Love: Empathetic love. (Pronounced “stor-gay”) This is the type of love that helps you relate to people.
- Eros Love: Romantic love. No explanation needed.
- Agape Love: God’s love.
In 1 Corinthians, Paul writes to the church in Corinth to a group of people who needed to learn more about the love of God (agape love). In 1 Corinthians 13:4-7, Paul writes:
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.
Three Lovely Lessons About Love
I’ve read this passage a bunch of times over the past few weeks. Here are three great lessons we can all learn from Paul’s words:
- The Gospel – It’s a good thing God doesn’t keep score against us. If He did, we wouldn’t have a chance (i.e., For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, Romans 3:23). Instead of keeping track of our sin score, God cleans the slate through Jesus’ work on the cross.
- Marriage – Loves keeps no record of wrongs. In spite of our tendency to keep a list of all the right we’ve done and all the wrong our spouse has done, Paul challenges us, in love, to keep no list of the wrong our spouse has done. Rather, keep a list of all the good they do. Love keeps no record of wrongs.
Questions: Are you keeping score in your marriage? Do you have a list of all the right you’ve done and all the wrong your spouse has done? If so, tear that list up!
1 Corinthians 13 is a rich passage, filled with powerful ways to exemplify God’s love towards us. Celebrate your Valentine’s Day by studying and applying these lessons (and any others) from 1 Corinthians 13.
- Check out a similar post I wrote a few years ago about 1 Corinthians 13: 8 Ways to Show Your Love: Survey Says?.
- If you’re looking to grow your marriage, check out the Fierce Marriage blog and podcast. Every week, Ryan and Selena Frederick share ways to grow your relationship.
Chris Moseley
Great post! Thanks for the info on the Fierce Marriage podcast.