Living a Life of Love

Living a Life of Love

If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing. Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when completeness comes, what is in part disappears. When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me. For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.    1 Corinthians 13:1 - 13 (NIV)

ACCEPT OTHERS

Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.    Romans 15:7 (NIV) 

If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Romans 12:18 (NIV) 

COMMIT TO OTHERS

Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. Romans 12:10 (NIV) 

So in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.    Romans 12:5 (NIV) 

ENCOURAGE OTHERS

Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.    1 Thessalonians 5:11 (NIV) 

SERVE OTHERS

Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God's grace in its various forms.    1 Peter 4:10 (NIV) 

Share with the Lord’s people who are in need.  Practice hospitality.

Romans 12:13 (NIV)  

FORGIVE OTHERS

Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.   Colossians 3:13 (NIV) 

SHARE CHRIST WITH OTHERS

Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect. 

1 Peter 3:15 (NIV) 

The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.    2 Peter 3:9 (NIV)

And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ.    Ephesians 3:17 - 18 (NIV)