The Greatest Force On Earth Is Love Pt3

The Greatest Force on Earth is Love Pt3

In our first and second series we talked about the four types of love and that love is patient. In continuation with our discussion today I will be looking at other characteristic of love which are kindness, truth, protection, trusts, hopes, and perseverance.

Let us look at our key Bible verses 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 NIV

4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonour others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, and always perseveres.

8 Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away.

Love, as the greatest force for good on earth, is kind.

What is kindness?

Kindness can be defined as an act of loving and caring more for others than for self. The Bible explains that people who Love are quick to forgive. They seek ways to make offences disappear while somebody with hatred would want to exaggerate negative situations and make things look worse than they are (proverbs 10:12 NET). When a person loves, he/she is gentle and considerate in conduct and manner towards others. They don’t do things to hurt others. They are sensitive to people's feelings and reactions. they don’t belittle what somebody regards as an offence.

• Let us consider these instances: if your wife says to you, I don’t feel loved because you don’t tell me you love me anymore; Or I went to the saloon to do my hair and you have not noticed; Or I bought a new outfit, and you did not complement me. Rather than playing it down, pay attention and endeavour to develop and practice saying I love you and you look beautiful etc.

• On the other hand, if your husband says whatever it is that he doesn’t like, don’t play it down as well. Instead, do something to remove that negative feeling that that particular action is creating. When we pay attention to what matters to others so as not to leave a feeling of insensitivity, then we are kind. That is why God says husband love your wife and wife respect your husband. Eph 5:25-30. Loving her is not only sexual but meeting her emotional need for affirmation and attention. In the homes when parents and children pay attention to what each one says they don’t like, and we endeavour not to do those things, then we are being kind. In the home when children or adult who are still at home refuse to do their chores as and when and claim that their mum is making a force out of this little thing, it amounts to belittling it. If she says she does not like it, show kindness by considering her feelings. Siblings may say hurtful things to each other when they are upset, that is being very unkind. To be kind means not to deliberately hurt people’s feelings.

In verse 6 of 1 Corinthians 13 we are told that “Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, and always perseveres.

Love is kindness. A person with the love of God which is agape love always protects the image, reputation and interest of their loved ones no matter what. The story is told of Joseph the husband of Mary the mother of Jesus. When he was told that she was pregnant with a child that was not his, he thought to put her away secretly wanting to protect her reputation even in his pains and disappointment. (Matthew 1:19). Love always protects. Agape love always trusts. Trust is an unshaken belief in the reliability, truth, or ability of someone. It is the willingness to give people chances despite several failures and to believe they will do better tomorrow. Love always hopes that tomorrow will be alright. It has hope for a better future. Love always perseveres – it’s willing to stay the course and see things through to a successful end.

Someone may ask “what if I am in an abusive relationship and my life is being threatened? Should I continue to always protect, trust, hope and persevere? My answer is no. You are advised to leave the relationship until you can see a genuine change in that person. It is better to leave and protect yourself and, if necessary, children than to stay in a violent and abusive relationship. Note “there is no marriage in heaven. However, if they are willing to go for counselling, then you are advised to support them with the process from a distance out of harm’s way to achieve a favourable outcome. In that way you are practising agape love and God will reward you for it.