Wed Inspiration

Morning Inspiration with Pastor Merritt

Paul gets down to the nitty-gritty of what real love looks like.

“Love is patient.” (I Corinthians 13:4)

If you can imagine love as being a fleet of ships, then the flagship of love is patience. In English, we use the term “short-tempered” to describe someone who loses his or her temper quickly or has a short fuse. The kind of person that the least little thing will set them off. This word is very interesting. It is made up of two words. The first word is “thymia” which gives us the word “thermometer.” It refers to heat or passion. The second word is “macro” which is the opposite of “micro.” It means “long.” Literally, it says, “Love is long-tempered.” Love has a long fuse. It takes a long time for love to boil over. In fact, love not only has a long fuse, but even when it is lit it only takes a short time to put it out. How does your love measure up and how is your love working out for you?

“Love is kind.” (I Corinthians 13:4)

This word was used to describe food that was tasty as well as healthy. It is the only time this phrase is used in all of the New Testament. It simple refers to the way we treat the other person or the way we talk to the other person. Mark Twain said, “Kindness is a language the deaf can hear and the blind can see.” How does your love measure up to this quality and how is it working out for you?

“It does not envy.” (I Corinthians 13:4)

Love isn’t jealous. I made a promise to Teresa before we got married, that from the moment we were married, I would never ever be jealous of her. I kept that promise, because there is nothing that will poison the well of marriage worse than jealousy, which is simply a disguise for distrust. James Dobson once said, “If you love something you can set it free. If it is yours it will come back to you. If it doesn’t, it never was.” There is another version that said, “If you love something set it free. If it doesn’t come back to you, track it down and beat it to death.” That is not love. Jealousy possesses. Love releases. Jealously distrusts and love does trust. How does your love measure up and how is it working out for you?

“…it does not boast.” (I Corinthians 13:4)

Let me tell you a form of bragging that takes place in so many marriages. It is when a spouse possibly says, “I do all the work. I bring home the bacon. If something is going to be done, I have to get it done. If it is going to be done right it is up to me.” Another way to put it is, “Bragging is simply a way of focusing on all of your good points and none of theirs.” Another way to put this is “Love is arrogant.” If you have a problem admitting when you are wrong and an even bigger problem apologizing when you are your love is arrogant. How does your love measure up? How is it working out for you?