Tag Archives: love

“Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble.” (1 Peter 3:8, NIV)

Whether in the human family into which we were born, or the spiritual family of God into which we both chose and were chosen; success depends on: (3) Displaying love for one another.

Arguably the best-known description of what love is — and is not — is found in 1 Corinthians, Chapter 13: Love is patient; it is kind; love does not envy; it does not strut; it is not proud; love does not force itself on others; it isn’t always “me first”; it doesn’t fly off the handle; love doesn’t keep score of the offenses of others; it doesn’t revel when others grovel. . . (Credit: New International Version and The Message translations)

Love is as love does.  – Luther

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“With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be.” (James 3:9-10, NIV)

When I read today’s scripture, I think of cartoonist Charles M. Schulz, who famously wrote these words for Linus: “I love mankind. . . It’s people I can’t stand!!”

Yet, “people” bear God’s image and likeness — the same image and likeness imprinted within each one of us.

When tempted to curse others, do you see a reflection of yourself; do you see the image and likeness of our Lord and Father? To see others (and ourselves) as God sees is the antidote for unkind words, and judgmental attitudes.  – Luther

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“As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.” (Ephesians 4:1-2, NIV)

Live up to your calling.

This is the message from Paul — writing from prison in Rome — to the Christians in Ephesus (a city in modern-day Turkey).

Our calling is the highest of all callings, yet we are instructed to be humble. This calling often leads us into the coarsest of situations, yet we are expected to be gentle at all times. Our calling gives us access to the wisdom of the ages, and the knowledge of the Almighty; yet we are also called to exhibit patience, forbearance, and love.

Are you living up to your calling as a disciple of Jesus? – Luther

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