Love…does not boast.
1 Corinthians 13:4a
If you have been reading these past blogs then you might feel like me right now…very bad at loving people and very good at only loving self. This is certainly a section of Scripture that is very searching and exposing of the sinful heart. This is the type of love that only Christ can fulfill. Yet, by our union with Him we are enabled more and more by the Holy Spirit to love like Him.
So, what is this type of love? What is love that “does not boast”?
True love does not brag about oneself.
True love does not seek first to get applause and compliments from others.
True love does not only like their spouse whenever their spouse makes them feel loved but true love likes their spouse even when they are sinned against.
True love does not constantly put on an exhibition of self-importance.
True love does not live in insecurity by trying to prove one’s worth to others nor does it withhold love until others prove their worth.
True love does not constantly brag about one’s own achievements. Rather, it learns to ask more about the other person.
True love does not like people merely because of what they can receive in return (gifts, status, notoriety, etc.).
True love does not spend most of its time with friends talking primarily talking about its opportunities, gifts, riches, importance, and views. True love genuinely desires to know another person.
True love does not listen to a conversation waiting to “one-up” another person.
True love does not choose a spouse merely so that they can gain status.
How different is biblical love for worldly love today!