READ: 1 Corinthians 13:4-7
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.
Here it is, the famous wedding recitation. Can’t you taste the cake and see the sparklers? Verses four through seven are perfect wedding vows, aren’t they? Who doesn’t want a patient, humble, kind, and protective partner? In wedding ceremonies, this passage is often used as a promise.
It should go further than that though. This isn’t just an exclusive promise to our significant others. This passage represents a pact we need to make with ourselves and God. Paul describes love with both positive and negative traits — what it is and what it is not. Use this list as a recipe to life. Each sentence serves as a crucial ingredient. If one is missing, the dish doesn’t taste the same. Love without kindness is like a salad without lettuce. Love with selfishness sprinkled in is like a Sundae topped with sour cream. To live a life of love, you need to incorporate specific ingredients and avoid others.
Paul identifies seven crucial ingredients of love: patience, kindness, rejoicing with the truth, protecting, trust, hope, and persistence. Then he goes on to identify what doesn’t pair with true love: envy, arrogance, dishonor, and selfishness.
Recall this recipe every day. Be patient; most people are truly doing their best. Be kind; you have no idea what someone is going through. Don’t get angry; it’s such a waste of energy. Celebrate their achievements. Be humble when you achieve something. Refuse to boast, brag, or show off. Don’t use someone’s past mistakes against them.
God is love (1 John 4:7), so He knows what it takes to live it out. Don’t veer off the script. Follow God’s recipe closely.