◄ What Does 1 Corinthians 13:7 Mean? ►

The beautiful characteristics of divine love are seen being lived out in the life of the Lord Jesus Christ, and God's will is that all His children reflect the love of Christ in their heart and life.

Godly love begins to be evidenced in the life of a believer as the fruit of the Spirit is allowed to grow, but it is often through painful experiences and a willing obedience to abide in God's Word that this exquisite characteristic is enabled to flourish. And as we live, day by day, through the power of the Holy Spirit, we mature in the love of God and edify the Body of Christ with the perfume of Christ-like love.

Love bears all things by patiently enduring wrongs and evils with a heart of forgiveness. This love covers over the faults of others with a beautiful graciousness that reflects the Saviour and does not seek for vengeance.

Love believes all things by looking for the good in others rather than suspecting the wrong. This love seeks out the best in others with a gracious wisdom that does not condone evil, but which trusts God's Word to be both the plumb-line for truth and the standard for godly behaviour.

Love hopes all things by earnestly desiring the best in people as well as in life's circumstances, even when the worst seems to be knocking at the door. It is not an empty hope, but an ability to keep trusting the Lord in a situation that others have rendered as hopeless.

Love endures all things by maintaining an uncomplaining attitude in every affliction and trial, tribulation and temptation, persecution and pain, whether it be for the sake of the saints or for the sake of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Let us seek to have this beautiful characteristic of godly love evidenced in our lives, as we willingly and obediently submit to the work of the Spirit within our hearts, until a Christ-like love is manifest in our life.

Heavenly Father, I pray that in the power of the Holy Spirit, I may learn through obedience, to develop the exquisite characteristic of Christ-like love in my life. May others see Your love reflected in me and be drawn to You. In Jesus' name, AMEN.