GOD IS LOVE
1 CORINTHIANS 13:4-7
He who does not love does not know God, for God is love. 1John 4:8
1) Love suffers long - 1 Timothy 1:16
However,
for this reason I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might
show all longsuffering, as a pattern to those who are going to believe
on Him for everlasting life.
Note: Jesus Christ is longsuffering towards those who will be saved.
2) Love is kind – Ephesians 2:4-7
But
God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He
loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together
with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up together,
and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, that
in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in
His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.
Note: The kindness of God the Father is eternal towards those who are saved.
3) Love does not envy - Mark 15:10
For he knew that the chief priests had handed Him over because of envy.
Note: Jesus Christ suffered for those who envied Him.
4) Love does not parade itself – Luke 5:15-16
However,
the report went around concerning Him all the more; and great
multitudes came together to hear, and to be healed by Him of their
infirmities. So He Himself often withdrew into the wilderness and
prayed.
Note: Jesus Christ did not boast about Himself.
5) Love is not puffed up – Philippians 2:8
And
being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became
obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.
Note: Jesus Christ humbled Himself and died for our sins.
6) Love does not behave rudely – Matthew 9:36
But
when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them,
because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd.
Note: Jesus Christ has compassion for those who are suffering.
7) Love does not seek its own – Luke 22:41-42
And
He was withdrawn from them about a stone’s throw, and He knelt down and
prayed, saying, “Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from
Me; nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done.”
Note: It was the will of God the Father for Jesus Christ to die for our sins.
8) Love is not provoked – Matthew 17:27
“Nevertheless,
lest we offend them, go to the sea, cast in a hook, and take the fish
that comes up first. And when you have opened its mouth, you will find
a piece of money; take that and give it to them for Me and you.”
Note: Jesus Christ did not provoke people needlessly.
9) Love thinks no evil – Luke 6:35
“But
love your enemies, do good, and lend, hoping for nothing in return; and
your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High. For
He is kind to the unthankful and evil.”
Note: God is full of mercy towards sinners.
10) Love does not rejoice in iniquity – Acts 10:36-38
The
word which God sent to the children of Israel, preaching peace through
Jesus Christ—He is Lord of all—that word you know, which was proclaimed
throughout all Judea, and began from Galilee after the baptism which
John preached: how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit
and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were
oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him.
Note: Saved persons rejoice in the good that Jesus Christ did and is doing.
11) Love but rejoices in the truth – John 14:6
Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.”
Note: Saved persons rejoice that Jesus Christ is the truth.
12) Love bears all things – 2 Peter 3:9
The
Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but
is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that
all should come to repentance.
Note: Jesus Christ is longsuffering towards those who will be saved.
13) Love believes all things – Mark 9:23
Jesus said to him, “If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.”
Note: Saved persons will be a people of faith through sincere belief.
14) Love hopes all things – 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17
Now
may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself, and our God and Father, who has
loved us and given us everlasting consolation and good hope by grace,
comfort your hearts and establish you in every good word and work.
Note: God the Father has given saved persons an solid hope of eternal life.
15) Love endures all things. – Hebrews 12:1-2
Therefore
we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let
us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and
let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto
Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was
set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down
at the right hand of the throne of God.
Note: Jesus Christ endured dying on the cross for our sins.