In order to be in union with God, we must understand what his love means to us personally. The truths of Scripture are meant to be lived. In order to be lived, truth must first be planted deep into our hearts. First Corinthians 13 is often known as the “love chapter.” We hear it read at weddings, and we usually take the chapter and make a list of how we are to love other people. But before loving others in this way we must understand that God himself is love (1 John 4), and because he has defined himself as such, the characteristics of love as outlined in 1 Corinthians 13 apply to God’s relationship with us. Let’s put on new eyes and look at it as a declaration of God’s relationship to us.
God’s love suffers long and is kind toward me.
God’s love does not envy.
God’s love does not parade itself, is not puffed up.
God’s love does not behave rudely.
God’s love does not seek its own.
God’s love is not easily provoked.
God’s love thinks no evil but believes the best in me.
God’s love does not rejoice in sin, and forgives the sinner.
God’s love rejoices in the truth and covers me with grace.
God’s love bears all things, believes all things, endures all things.
God’s love never fails. His love is steadfast—fixed, firm, and unchanging.
Remember that 1 John 4:16 says “God is love.” This is the nature of who God is. This is the good news. He is patient with us, he bears with us in our stupid choices, his love will never fail us. It isn’t God who is telling us we are not enough and who is keeping us at arm’s length. It isn’t God who is discouraging us by holding up measuring sticks that represent a person we can never be. No, it’s not the love of God that is holding us down and keeping us back. Now is the time to believe, making truth our reality
Alsdorf, Debbie. Deeper: Living in the Reality of God’s Love. Grand Rapids, MI: Revell, 2008. Print.