Again, we're faced with the bluntness of Paul's words as he personifies love. Have you noticed the traits of love (and what love is not) are exactly those of the One who loves you most?
For someone who lived in the same time as Jesus,
yet never followed Him before His death at the cross;
Paul certainly knew Jesus and His love.
Let's dig in to today's verses, and continue learning about what love is not:
Does not demand its own way - Self-centered or Others-centered is a choice. We either look out for others, or choose to put our own interests first.
Is not irritable - The King Jimmy translation replaces irritable with 'easily provoked;' however, 'easily' is not in the original Greek context. Adam Clarke's commentary gives further explanation:
"When the man who possesses this love gives way to provocation, he loses the balance of his soul, and grieves the Spirit of God… surely if he get embittered against his neighbour, he does not love him as himself"
Keeps no record of being wronged - We're talking grudges here, friends. Instead of clinging to the past, and the wrongs committed against us, we are to put those hurts away. Let it go. Let God. Let Love cover it.
Today, I challenge you (and myself) to put others first, and to be genuinely pleasant, letting the minutia of life roll off and roll on, not holding any of it in our memory banks. Today, I choose to
LOVE the Person Before Me
How will you LOVE others today?
