“Motivation of Christian Love”. This seems to be a lot of writing about how we should behave.

In 1 Corinthians 13, we learn about a beautiful love. Just the idea that such love might exist may encourage and lift you.

Reread Corinthians 13:3-5. Imagine somebody loves you that way:

“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.” (New International Version).

We are happy if we feel loved.

Yet, what about the way we treat others ourselves? We like to comfort ourselves, saying we are doing well.

Maybe you are looking for a clear guide. Steps 1, 2, and 3 make you successful in loving, so you are beyond criticism.

In fact, on this site, I have not given you such steps. I feel real love has to be creative rather than mechanical. You need to become sensitive to other people’s needs and feelings.

Failures

Experience shows misunderstandings among people. Conflicts and dissensions do arise.

The authors of the bible are pretty honest about human failures. Here are some examples:

“Not many of you should presume to be teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly. We all stumble in many ways.” (James 3:1+2a, New International Version).

“For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. For what I do is not the good I want to do; no, the evil I do not want to do – this I keep on doing.” (Romans 7:18b+19, New International Version).

We have goals. We become aware of failures. As we admit our own shortcomings, we get more gracious with others.

Faith

The bible has much to say about human failures. “Sin” is a biblical term that describes our shortcomings.

“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23, New International Version).

In Old Testament times, people were bringing offerings to God to ask for forgiveness. In the New Testament, we learn more clearly: It is not what we bring to God. Our offerings would not change anything if God were not gracious and prepared to forgive.

God clearly demonstrated his grace. He offered his own son on the cross. Jesus has carried the punishment for our sins.

God has raised Jesus from the dead so we can believe and receive forgiveness.

God’s forgiveness is not a purpose in itself. God wants to restore our relationship with him. We can have peace with God. We can have a sense of how he loves us.

God has good plans and goals for us. He loves us, though we fail.

We can bring our failures to him. We can learn from the bible what he would say to us. We can live in a restored relationship with God.

Simply Pray

“Lord God. You are a God of love. It is your will that we should love and respect each other. You know things are so different in this world. We suffer from cold and unloving experiences. I admit that at times I, too, am prone to just react that way.

As I read the bible, please, help me understand what you want to tell me. Your word says that I run short of what you have designed me for.

Thank you for your outstretched arms. Thank you, you are prepared to forgive me.

I want to live in a restored relationship with God. I want to live in communion with God.

I want to be sensitive to the way you love me. Let your love shape my attitudes and my behaviour. Amen.”

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