The best life is a God First life

Tag: 1 Corinthians 13

30 Characteristics of Agape Love: A Biblical Portrait

  1. Unconditional
  2. Without expectation of reciprocation
  3. Desiring good for others
  4. It’s eternal
  5. It is the greatest 
  6. It has no evil in it
  7. It covers a multitude of sins
  8. Provides motivation
  9. Brings peace
  10. It is a choice
  1. Fruit of the Spirit
  2. Not resentful
  3. God is love
  4. It’s forgiving
  5. Selfless
  6. Patient
  7. Kind
  8. Not envious
  9. Not boastful
  10. Not arrogant

  1. Not rude
  2. Does not insist on its own way
  3. Not irritable
  4. Does not rejoice in wrongdoing
  5. Rejoices in the truth
  6. Bears all things
  7. Believes all things
  8. Hopes all things
  9. Endures all things
  10. LOVE NEVER ENDS
  • It is the greatest (1 Cor 13:13 — “the greatest of these is love”).
  • Sacrificial even to the point of laying down one’s life (John 15:13).
  • Demonstrated toward sinners/enemies (Rom 5:8 — “while we were still sinners, Christ died for us”).
  • It fulfills the law (Rom 13:8–10; cf. Matt 22:37–40).
  • Perfect love casts out fear (1 John 4:18).
  • It is active, not merely words (1 John 3:18).
  • We love because He first loved us (1 John 4:19).
  • It is the bond of unity/perfection (Col 3:14).
  • Love one another as Christ loved us (John 13:34–35).

Agape love is choosing to love unconditionally; it never changes. We should love God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength.

  • 1 Corinthians 13:4–8, 13; Galatians 5:22–23; 1 Peter 4:8; 1 John 4:8; Philippians 4:8–9; Romans 5:8; John 3:16; Ephesians 5:2; John 15:13; Colossians 3:14; Romans 13:10; Matthew 22:37–40.

It’s Not Luck—It’s Christlike Caring

It’s Not Luck; It’s Caring!

Before Alzheimer’s, some had commented on how lucky we are to have a relationship that works so well. Alzheimer’s has affected us, yet the following principles still apply.

It is largely because we aim to please—not just ourselves, but each other. Our actions are mindful, considerate, and inclusive, so we do many things together. The “me, me, me” attitude of today’s culture is destructive to relationships and opposes the teachings of Christ.

It is all too common to exclude loved ones with activities that distract rather than encourage communication and interaction. Time is one of our most valuable earthly blessings; seize its blessings with every breath you take.

See: Philippians 2:3–4; 1 Corinthians 13:4–8; Ephesians 5:25, 28; 1 Peter 3:7; Ecclesiastes 4:9–12; Proverbs 18:22; Proverbs 3:3–4; Song of Solomon 8:7; Ephesians 4:2; Romans 13:8–10; Mark 12:31; John 15:12; Matthew 22:37–39; Colossians 3:12–14; 1 Corinthians 16:14; Galatians 6:2

God First!

Do We Really Believe God? Then Who Will Humbly Reason from His Word?

We have no shortage of knowledge at our fingertips, yet we have a vast shortage of open minds. Minds willing to humble themselves as they discuss and reason about God’s Word. Instead of being offended when something contradicts our current beliefs, why not turn to Scripture and let God’s complete words be the final answer?

“For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when completeness comes, what is in part disappears.” (1 Corinthians 13:9-10 NIV)

Are you offended or curious when someone states something from God’s Word that you’ve been taught differently? Is it possible you have been taught only part of the answer? Do you take time to review the Scripture they provide to support their claim, or do you go to a preacher or friend for a response? Will you take time to examine the Scriptures daily to see whether their points are true, or will you cling to your feelings on the matter?

Why not let the inspired words of God do the talking so you can learn more fully? Why not study the whole truth more closely yourself and seek answers from God’s word to any discrepancies between what you believe and what God’s word tells us?

This is how we can unite with Scripture! Instead of forcing pieces of Scripture to fit our feelings and current understanding, take a closer look.

This is the example the Apostle Paul gave us; he went into the synagogues to reason.

While in Thessalonica, Paul “reasoned with them from the Scriptures, explaining and proving that it was necessary for Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead, and saying, ‘This Jesus whom I proclaim to you is the Christ.” And some of them were persuaded…” Acts 17:2-6

Paul reasoned from Scripture, yet not all were persuaded.

Later, in the town of Berea, Paul went into the synagogue to reason, and God’s word points out that those in this synagogue: “Now these Jews were more noble than those of Thessalonica; They received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so.” Acts 17:11

Why were they considered more noble? Because of their open minds and eagerness to know the truth

By approaching God’s word with an open mind, we will indeed do our best to learn. So, let’s do so eagerly, examining Scripture to see if what we understand is so.

2nd Timothy 2:15 tells us: “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.”

1 Corinthians 14:33 tells us: ”For God is not a God of confusion but of peace. As in all the churches of the saints,”

“Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will lift you up.” (James 4:10 NIV)

“I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another in what you say and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly united in mind and thought.” (1 Corinthians 1:10 NIV“)

Isaiah 1:18; Psalm 119:18, 119:105, 119:160; Proverbs 2:1-6; Proverbs 3:5-6; Proverbs 18:13; John 17:17; Acts 17:2-4; Acts 17:11; Romans 15:4; 1 Corinthians 1:10; 1 Corinthians 13:9-10; 1 Corinthians 14:33; Galatians 1:8-9; Ephesians 4:3-6, 4:13-15; 1 Thessalonians 5:21; 2 Timothy 2:15; 2 Timothy 3:16-17; James 1:21-25; James 4:6, 4:10; 2 Peter 1:19-21; 1 John 4:1.

God’s word is complete.

God First!

Love Is Much More Than a Mere Word

To have an abundance of money is not something I can truly understand; however, having an abundance of love through caring brothers and sisters in Christ is something we cherish and enjoy. We are blessed to be servants among servants for the Lord. We love all our brothers and sisters in Christ, both near and far, and pray for your well-being and success in sharing the message of Christ.

LOVE IS MUCH MORE THAN A MERE WORD

“Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends. As for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away.” 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 ESV

“So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love.” 1 Corinthians 13:13 ESV

“Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace:” 1 Peter 4:8-10 ESV.

“And He said to him, ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the great and foremost commandment. The second is like it, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments depend the whole Law and the Prophets.” Matthew 22:37-40

1 John 3:18; John 13:34–35; 1 John 4:7–8, 19–21; Romans 13:8–10; John 15:12–13; Galatians 5:13–14, 22; Colossians 3:14; Romans 5:8; 1 John 3:16.

God First!

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