Begin with 2 minutes of silence and stillness before God.

The beauty of our English language is that many words can have multiple meanings and functions. These are known as polysemous words. When reading these words, you must see how the word is used in context to understand its meaning and function.

I know what you’re thinking: what in the world does this have to do with today’s scripture about love? The scripture I hear at weddings and see printed on coffee mugs and t-shirts is an anthem for Christian living: “Love hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails” (1 Corinthians 13:13). It means everything.

Like the English language, Greek also has polysemous words, and love is one of them. There are four words for love in the Greek language: eros (erotic love), storge (family love), philia (friendship), and the greatest love, the love Paul refers to in today’s reading is agape (a selfless love that never demands, changes, or ends). Agape is the highest form of love there is. Agape is not a feeling or emotion but is defined as a sacrificial, giving, absorbing kind of love. Agape love is an intentional act and involves self-denial for the sake of another.

Paul wants to be certain his readers did not confuse which kind of love he was writing about, so he provides and lists specific examples of what agape love is and what it is not. Agape is “long-suffering”. When one has been wronged by another, it doesn’t seek revenge. This love never ends when relationships become difficult. Agape love shows the love of God through simple acts of “kindness”.

He goes as far as to show us what agape love is not in Romans 12:10. Paul then returns to defining what love is: it bears all things by covering the sins of others. It chooses to believe the best in others. Love hopes the best because at the center of God’s love is hope. It endures all things, refusing to give up because it continues to bear, believe, and hope.

Again, I know what you’re thinking. This kind of love is impossible to reach and practice today when some can be brutally unkind. The truth is we have all experienced this type of love (Romans 5:18). We have tasted this kind of love because God gave everything he had, his Son, as a ransom sacrifice so that we may have hope for an eternal future (John 3:16). That’s the umbrella we all stand under and benefit from: God's agape love.

Paul defined agape love to resolve a growing belief among the church that those with certain spiritual gifts were more holy than others. Paul silences their argument by explaining that no spiritual gifts mean anything unless it is practiced from a place of love.

I agree that agape love is an intimidating way of being, but we can make it a life rhythm in small ways of our daily living that can make a significant difference in the lives of others. How? One small way to put agape love into action is to pass out church invitations in your letters: personal, bills, surveys—stuff each envelope with an invitation, a scripture card, or a bookmark. Give them to employees at Walmart Pickup, place them on tables in the waiting rooms of doctor’s offices, or leave them with a tip when eating out at restaurants. One small gesture from a place of love can be instrumental in turning someone’s life towards Christ.

Take 2 minutes to reflect in silence

Reflection:

• This Sunday, stop by the coffee bar and pick up three invitations and give them out during the week.
• Prayer: Holy Father, You are the embodiment of agape love. Help me to set aside my selfish agenda and put the needs of others first. Give me the patience that is required when standing in long lines, while I’m on the phone waiting to be answered, driving in traffic, or dealing with a difficult co-worker. Help me execute love in my marriage and with my family, friends, and strangers. I want to lead with agape love, the highest form of love there is. In the name of Jesus, amen.

Family Devo: 1 Corinthians 13   

By: Cindy Oglive  

When partnering with your family to know, love, and follow Jesus, we strive to create and share content filtered by the Head-Heart-Hands model. 

Head: the knowledge of God and His Word | Heart: the personal connection from scripture | Hands: a missional mindset 

Head

The biblical definition of love is in verses 4-7. We see how Jesus wants us to be loved and how He wants us to love others. Love is so very important. If you don’t speak with love in your words, then you are speaking in anger. Love is so many different things, but in God's eyes, love means patience, kindness, honor, and selflessness; love is the truth, protects, and is trusting. Love never fails. From child to man there are three things that remain the same: faith, hope, and love but love is the greatest one.   

Heart  

Find someone to sit with and write down five different things that show an example of love. One example is not raising your voice when you are angry.    

Hand   

Prayer: Lord, I pray today that whatever battles come my way, I respond with love even when angry. Lord, I pray that You use me to show Your love and Your faith. Lord, thank You for always being there when I need You. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.