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. (I Corinthians 13:4-8 ESV)
Effects
This passage is filled with the effects of love. Paul’s familiar passage is not really a textbook definition of love. It is something better. These words and phrases are a (partial) list of what love looks like.
And the diagnosis/analysis can work both ways.
If someone is patient, love is present. If someone is kind, love is present… and on through the list.
The reverse is also true. If love is present, patience is found. If love is present, kindness is found.
Love is not found in mushy feelings, batted eyelashes, increased heartbeats, or valentines. Although those things might result from particular kinds of love.
Instead, this is a list of some things that are evidence of Biblical (which is the only real) love.
Wolf tracks are evidence that a wolf is somewhere around. That certain smell is evidence of a gas leak. The lawn mower starting to sputter is evidence of low gasoline. A siren and flashing lights are evidence of an emergency vehicle.
And this list announces that Biblical love is here.
It is less mystery than we sometimes think.
And the ONE who is always patient, kind, not envious or boastful, not arrogant, not rude, not demanding, not irritable, not resentful is God. The ONE who does not rejoice in any wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth is GOD. The ONE who bears all things, hopes all things, and endures all things is God. And God never ends.
God’s Word shows us the clearest evidence of God’s love.