Loving Others
Have you ever wondered what it truly means to love others? In 1 Corinthians, Paul says:
“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails."
1 Corinthians 13:4-8 NIV
Take a moment to be still before the Lord and reflect on the meaning and actions of love. How does it manifest in our actions towards others? Let's look at three parts of this passage, from 1 Corinthans 13:5:
"Love does not dishonor others." Do I prioritize the needs and well-being of others over my own desires? Do I sacrifice personal gain for the benefit of others, motivated by genuine empathy and compassion?
"Love is not easily angered." Do I choose forgiveness over resentment, refusing to be provoked by the shortcomings of others?
"Love keeps no record of wrongs." Do I truly believe that love keeps no record of wrongs? And do I choose to let go of past hurts and grievances?
Truly loving others as ourselves isn't something that happens by accident. It’s something that requires transformation and God's power. It requires a heart that's surrendered to God. How will you choose to love others well today?
Truth Changes Everything
Think about the best news you've ever received in your life. Maybe it was a doctor walking into a waiting room and saying, "The surgery went perfectly." Maybe it was a phone call that said, "You got the job." Maybe it was two lines on a pregnancy test you'd been praying for.
Good news changes everything.
But none of those moments, as incredible as they are, even come close to the truth delivered on the first Easter morning:
"He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay."
Matthew 28:6 (NIV)
Jesus had been crucified publicly, brutally, and officially. He was wrapped, sealed in a tomb. There was no question. Jesus was dead. It was true.
But when His followers Mary and Mary Magdalene arrived to grieve? The stone was rolled away. The tomb was empty. And an angel met them with the most stunning announcement in human history.
But the angel doesn’t just tell the women the truth. He invites them to look for themselves. To step inside. To experience the...