Love Is a Verb

1 Corinthians 13:4–7 (CEB)Love is patient, love is kind, it isn’t jealous, it doesn’t brag, it isn’t arrogant, it isn’t rude, it doesn’t seek its own advantage, it isn’t irritable, it doesn’t keep a record of complaints, it isn’t happy with injustice, but it is happy with the truth. Love puts up with all things, trusts in all things, hopes for all things, endures all things.You've probably heard these words at a wedding. They're beautiful, and certainly appropriate for marriage. But Paul didn't address them to a couple in love. He addressed them to a church that couldn't seem to get along.The Corinthians had divided into factions. Some considered themselves more important than others. Wealthier members received preferential treatment, followers of certain teachers thought themselves superior, and people competed over whose spiritual gifts had greater value.Think about that context when Paul starts describing love. It isn't jealous. It doesn't brag. It doesn't seek its own advantage.Ouch. He might as well have been calling people out by name.There's something interesting about the original Greek here. While English translations often use adjectives to describe love, Paul actually uses verbs. Love does things. It's an action, not merely a feeling.Sometimes those actions run directly against our instincts.I once had a relationship with someone who seemed to have a memory like the proverbial elephant. Whenever I made a mistake, it became another entry in a running account of everything I'd ever done wrong. Each new offense brought the whole history back into evidence.I suspect most of us have kept similar accounts at one time or another. We remember who hurt us, who embarrassed us, who got something we deserved. Sometimes we even want to get even, even though we know that our resentment hurts us, too.But Paul says love doesn't keep a record of complaints. That doesn't mean overlooking injustice or pretending that harmful behavior is acceptable. Paul specifically says love rejoices in truth, not injustice. We can hold people accountable without seeking revenge.Jesus demonstrated that kind of love, even toward those who crucified him.And here's the good news: We don't have to manufacture that love through sheer willpower. God's grace works within us, gradually transforming our hearts. As we choose patience over retaliation, kindness over resentment, and another person's good over our own advantage, we become more like Christ.Love is a verb. With God's help, it's action we can learn to practice.PrayerGracious God, thank you for loving us even when we fall short. Help us let go of resentment and the desire to get even. Work within our hearts so that our love becomes more than a feeling or a fine-sounding word. Teach us to love as Jesus loves, through our actions as well as our words. In his name we pray, Amen.This devotional was written and read by Donn King.Grace for All is a daily devotional podcast produced by the members of the congregation of First United Methodist Church in Maryville, Tennessee. With these devotionals, we want to remind listeners on a daily basis of the love and grace that God extends to all human beings, no matter their location, status, or condition in life.If you would like to respond to these devotionals in any way, we would enjoy hearing from you. Our email address is: podcasts@1stchurch.org.First United Methodist Church is a lively, spirit-filled congregation whose goal is to spread the message of love and grace into our community and throughout the world. We are located on the web at https://1stchurch.org/.