Growing In Love

There’s an old peanuts comic strip where Lucy is making fun of Linus for wanting to be a doctor.

She says, “You could never be a doctor. You know why? Because you don’t love mankind, that’s why!”

In the last frame, Linus shouts back, “I love mankind…it’s people I can’t stand.”

While this quip elicits a bit of humor, it may hit a little to close to home for many people. The irony is that people compose mankind. If you love mankind, you love people.

It reminds me of the quote from Charles Dickens “Christmas Story when Marlay’s ghost appears and exclaimed, “Mankind was my business. The common welfare was my business; charity, mercy, forbearance, and benevolence, were, all, my business.”

Mankind ought to be the business of every church and every Christian. And if we truly care for mankind we will love people. We ought to be like the Thessalonian brethren to whom Paul paid this wonderful compliment.

“We ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers, as is right, because your faith is growing abundantly, and the love of every one of you for one another is increasing” (2 Thess. 1:3).

Just like faith is not static and can grow, so can our love. It ought to be increasing, abounding and growing. But how?

In 1 Corinthians 13, the apostle offers 15 specific, concrete, ways in which we can measure the growth of our love. Specifically note verses 4-8.

1. Love is Patient. The Greek word refers to patience with people, not circumstances. It’s forbearing when offended. It tolerates the foibles and follies of others. It is the strong brother who works with a weak brother to overcome a problem in his life, instead of being quick to condemn.

2. Love is Kind. Origen says this means “sweet to all,” There is an innate understanding of what it means to be kind. It’s illustrated in a gentle spirit, words of praise, acts of compassion, and a charitable disposition toward our brothers and sisters in Christ.

3. Love knows no envy. One may envy by coveting others’ possessions. Or we may envy by begrudging what others have that we don’t have. Love rejoices in the success of our friends. It’s not envious of their job promotion, new home, new car or special vacation.

4. Love is not a braggart. It’s not boastful. When I achieve some success in life, I’m not gloating in my own glory or “tooting my own horn.”

5. Love is not arrogant. I realize my dependance upon God. I’m not prideful. Haughty. Cocky. Or Pompous. I realize that pride can precede a fall, and that I’m susceptible.

6. Love is not rude- It has good manners. It’s children saying please, thank you, excuse me. It doesn’t behave indecently. Its behavior is appropriate. Civil. Decent.

7. Love is not self Seeking,  Love doesn’t insist on its own way. It’s not self willed. It’s a husband more concerned about meeting his wife’s needs, than his own needs.

8. Love is not easily angered. While righteous anger is permissible, and even appropriate, love doesn’t allow anger to get out of control. It’s not upset at “the drop of a hat,” nor does it walk around with a “chip on its shoulder.”

9. Love keeps no record of wrongs. The original word referred to a bookkeeper who records in a ledger. It’s a wife who can forgive her husband of an indiscretion and never bring it up again. Or a husband who refuses to grow bitter over his wife’s past negligence. Or a parent who can give a kid a fresh start, without reminding him of his past mistakes.

10. Love is not delighted by evil. Love finds no pleasure in anything that’s wrong. It doesn’t rejoice over another’s misfortune. Nor enjoy ungodliness, unrighteousness or impiety. It is not entertained by evil, nor charmed by seeing carnal pleasures, nor enchanted by the lust of the eyes.

11. Love rejoices with the truth. Love desires truth. Wants to know truth. Searches for truth. Love loves to hear the truth preached, regardless of who preaches it.

12. Love never quits. It can endure anything. It’s the parents who can bear up under any insult, injury or disappointment and keep on loving such a child.

13. Love is completely trusting. Love takes God at his word without questioning or doubting. It also gives a brother the benefit of the doubt, and refuses to believe some unsubstantiated rumor.

14. Love is always hoping. When the situation seems hopeless, and our best friend has let us down, hope springs eternal that the problem can be solved. Jesus believed no man was hopeless. And neither do his followers.

15. Love bears everything with triumphant fortitude. Love goes beyond a passive acceptance, but manifests a spirit that seeks to conquer. In every relationship, every situation, amidst all kinds of trials, love patiently endures. It is unconquerable.

Are you growing in love?

If you will sow these 15 seeds for spiritual growth, your love will grow.

–Ken Weliever, The Preacherman