The Alpha of Love

UV 3080/10000 The Alpha of Love
Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,
I Corinthian 13 v 4
Though love is sublime and noble, it manifests itself in practical and real ways just as God showed His agape or selfless love for humanity by sending His only begotten Son Jesus from the comfort and glory of heaven to live among sinners, to die for sinners. Love is the essence of the character of God. It is the wisdom of God that makes Him gracious and all forgiving even though He is all powerful and perfect. Love is ready to pay a price for the one loved. We should be willing to give up our happiness or comfort for the sake of the people we love. In other words, we are ready to endure suffering patiently and without complaining.. Love is reflected in meekness, kindness, gentleness and consideration for those who are less fortunate or privileged than us. It implies the absence of pride, envy, strife, contention and resentment.
St Paul wrote in his famous love chapter to the Corinthians that love is not about performance or an outer show of emotions or of acts of ostensible charity or religiousity or of achievement or acquisition. It is a moment to moment surrendering of our own egos to the Lord to enable us to be useful instruments and channels of blessing. Love is about overlooking a multitude of offences as if they never occurred. It is about not storing up resentment or bitterness at real or imagined wrongs and grievances against other people. It is about being patient and hopeful in difficult circumstances and with difficult people.
Love is about not being vain or boastful in our communication. In keeping our conversations and communications wholesome, helpful and edifying the faith of others in God and man. Love is about not feeling superior to others or in not making them feel obligated for any help or favour done to them. Love is principled and founded on the righteousness of Christ. Love is consistent and faithful. It fulfils what it sets out to do and just as Jesus never fails, love never fails. Love in our relationships is what makes life meaningful and purposeful. All the attitudes and attributes of love are manifested in the love of Christ and we will do well to imitate His love.