{"id":481,"date":"2022-04-24T00:21:15","date_gmt":"2022-04-24T00:21:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/deadmannotwalking.org\/?p=481"},"modified":"2022-04-24T00:21:15","modified_gmt":"2022-04-24T00:21:15","slug":"love-iii","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/deadmannotwalking.org\/?p=481","title":{"rendered":"Love III"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Love is patient, love is kind\u00a0and<\/em>\u00a0is not jealous; love does not brag\u00a0and<\/em>\u00a0is not arrogant,\u00a0does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong\u00a0suffered,<\/em>\u00a0does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth;\u00a0bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.\u00a0Love never fails . . .\u00a0 \u00a0(1 Corinthians 13:4-8, NASB)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

First Corinthians 13 is known as “the Love Chapter.”\u00a0 In Apostle Paul’s letter to the church at Corinth, he details the attributes of perfect love.\u00a0 Human beings are not capable of attaining these characteristics, but as followers of Jesus, we’re expected to try.\u00a0 The only Ones capable of executing these tenets are are the Triune God.\u00a0 As we humans go through life, we continue to get better, but we’ll not achieve perfection until God calls us home to be with Him.\u00a0 The attributes of perfect love are consistent with the Fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23).\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I heard someone say (at a Bible study or in a sermon) that we should replace the word “love” with our name to get a good read on where we stand with regard to love.\u00a0 Mine would be “Wade is patient, Wade is kind,” etc.\u00a0 If I’m honest with myself, and I’m not patient, for example, then with God’s help, Wade would have some work to do on his patience.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Last year, an Air Force Academy classmate, Terry Williams, invited me to do an online men’s Bible study.\u00a0 One of the lessons was on this passage from 1 Corinthians 13.\u00a0 Referring to the phrase, “does not take into account a wrong suffered,” the author asked:\u00a0 “Are you unoffendable?”\u00a0 I had never heard that worded like that, but I knew what it meant, and I knew in an instant that I was guilty.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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1 Corinthians 13:4-8 image.\u00a0 Found at Bible Verse Images,\u00a0https:\/\/www.bibleverseimages.com\/love-bible-verse-14.htm<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Let me first explain that ALS is a contact sport.\u00a0 I’m constantly being rolled and lifted and placed in a shower chair, wheelchair, recliner, or back in bed.\u00a0 In the process, it’s possible for many minor injuries to occur.\u00a0 I’ve been pinched, slapped, had my fingers and toes jammed, had my head squeezed by the hydraulic lift.\u00a0 I think the only thing that hasn’t happened is I haven’t been bitten.\u00a0 But none of this is intentional, the caregivers do their best, it just happens.\u00a0 Normally when it does, I blow it off, but in reflection, I found the only person I wasn’t quick to forgive was the one that I should.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The person who I’ve borne grudges against?\u00a0 The woman with whom God paired me; the woman who is supposed to be my best friend; and my partner in life, my wife Sue.\u00a0 As I said, when I read that question, I was convicted about my conduct.\u00a0 With God’s help, I resolved to do better.\u00a0 God’s not done with me yet.\u00a0 He’s still working on me until the day He decides to take me home.\u00a0 As for me, I’m trying not to take things so seriously.\u00a0 I try to smile at her more, and mouth the words “I love you!” more.\u00a0 My facial muscles are such that I’m sure my smile isn’t what it used to be, and might be mistaken for something else. And I have to do the “I love you!” more than once before she gets it.\u00a0 But as I said, I’m a work in progress.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Paul gives us the attributes of perfect love.\u00a0 Although it’s impossible for us to attain, it’s important that we try.\u00a0 Someday those who love Jesus will display these exact tenets.\u00a0 In heaven, the New Jerusalem, there will be no jealousy, and no envy.\u00a0 There will only be love as you read above.\u00a0 I can’t wait!\u00a0 Are you going to heaven?\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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