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Two, Three, Four

         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. (I Corinthians 13:4-5)

 

        In the past, I’ve gone through these verses looking at each characteristic of love separately. This time, let’s look at them by sentence. First, Paul lists two characteristics of love.  To be patient means to withhold the use of force and allow someone to work it out on their own, to not demand immediate, full compliance. On the other hand, kindness is about lending someone else your strength and helping them accomplish what would be more difficult or impossible on their own. Both involve the use of strength and power. One withholds, and the other provides.

            Next, Paul lists three characteristics of love: it doesn’t envy, it doesn’t boast, and isn’t proud. The one who loves isn’t threatened by what the beloved has or can do. It’s not all about the lover.  doesn’t practice vocaleses, “mi-mi-mi” or “Ay-ay-ay-ay.” (I-I-I-I)

            In the third sentence, Paul lists four characteristics: love does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, and it keeps no record of wrongs. “Is not self-seeking” sounds like it doesn’t quite fit with the others, which all seem to point a finger and change the vocalese to “You-you-you.” But all of those accusations of “You always,” “You never,” and “It’s all about you, when’s my turn?” reveal a self-seeking attitude that reveals why it’s one of the four.

         All this means that yesterday’s “if I…but do not have love…” has now been given sound principle. Love is about giving or sharing power, not about selfishly using it. It’s not about me-me-me,” and it’s not about finger-pointing and angry “you-you-you-s.”

            To which I must say, “YES!” and “Huh, I never noticed that before.

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