THE WORK OF LOVE
I Corinthians 13:4-8
“Work”. The word brings to the natural mind thoughts like: hard labor, obligation to others, effort resulting in reward, or toil without compensation. We have all experienced most, if not all, of these challenges we call “work”. But how is “work” viewed from God’s perspective? Although we might use the word “work” when we consider creation, salvation or preservation, for God, there neither was, nor is, physical work as we humans understand the word. God spoke the world into existence (Psalms 33:9). Jesus’ work on the cross to accomplish our salvation is referenced in Hebrews 12:2 as “the joy that was set before him”. And we are kept by the Holy Spirit of promise (Ephesians 1:13). So all three persons of God are involved in this word we interpret as “work”.
“Love”. Love is one of the themes of the Bible. The very nature of God is Love (I John 4:8). It’s difficult for us to understand the extent of God’s love; so let us consider the many aspects of that love as recorded in I Corinthians 13, verses 4 through 8 (NIV):
- Love is patient. Therefore, it endures for a long time, or as the KJV states, it sufferth long.
- Love is kind. In other words, it is gentle, tender and merciful.
- Love does not envy. Nor is it jealous or desire what it doesn’t have.
- Love does not boast. Love does not put itself forward.
- Love is not proud. It is not arrogant or vain.
- Love is not rude. Love is neither conceited nor prideful.
- Love is not self-seeking. Love never puts itself first.
- Love is not easily angered. Or not quickly provoked.
- Love keeps no record of wrongs. It never thinks evil of others.
- Love does not delight in evil. Love is never considered unrighteous or unjust.
- Love rejoices with the truth. Love always does what is right.
- Love always protects. Love bears up under anything and everything that happens.
- Love always trusts. Love believes the best of every person.
- Love always hopes. It is never fading.
- Love always perseveres. Love never weakens; it stays strong through trials.
- Love never fails. Love is endless; it never gives up.
In summation, the real work of love can only be accomplished by God. It is His very nature to act in love and He has demonstrated that nature by His dealings with man-kind throughout history. The actions of God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit have been marked on our universe and in the hearts of His people. And the wonderful fact is that these “Works of Love” will continue throughout eternity.
Author: Jim Johnston