Love in the Little Things
1 Corinthians 13:5
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“Catch the foxes for us, the little foxes that spoil the vineyards, for our vineyards are in blossom.” (Song of Solomon 2:15)
1 Corinthians 13:5 Teaches Us Four Things about Love:
1. Love is Courteous
- Selfishness is Rude
- Love is Sensitive
Courtesy shows in our Actions and our Speech
2. Love isn’t Pushy
Jesus talked about laying down our Rights and taking up our Responsibilities
“For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (Mark 10:45)
“Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going back to God, rose from supper. He laid aside his outer garments, and taking a towel, tied it around his waist. Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around him.” (John 13:3–5)
3. Love keeps it’s Cool
The power of love enables us to Respond rather than React or Retaliate
This does not mean that we never get Angry
“Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and give no opportunity to the devil.” (Ephesians 4:26–27)
4. Love doesn’t keep Score
An unforgiving spirit is a Poison
How many sins have you committed that God has not forgiven?
“Bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.” (Colossians 3:13)
Consistently loving this way is not Difficult, it is Impossible!
“But he said, 'What is impossible with man is possible with God.'” (Luke 18:27)
“and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.” (Romans 5:5)
Will you allow God to love others through you in this way?
Making It Personal:
- Who are the significant people in your life? Will you take the time to let them know how significant they are to you?
- What would those closest to you say about your level of courtesy and consideration? What can you do to increase your courtesy toward the significant people in your life?
- What would those closest to you say about your level of serving? How can you very practically lay down your rights and serve the significant people in your life?
- What would those closest to you say about the way you handle and express your anger? What steps do you need to take to deal with your anger in a more appropriate, productive and Christ-honoring way?
- What relationships in your life need some cleaning or clearing up? Who needs to be offered forgiveness by you? Who do you need to seek forgiveness and reconciliation from? What is your next step (not their next step, yours)?