When All Else Fails, Try Love: Love Never Fails

The Encyclopedia Britannica defines love as “an emotion characterized by strong feelings of affection for another arising out of kinship, companionship, admiration, or benevolence. In a related sense, ’love’ designates a benevolent concern for the good or welfare of others.”

The Dilution of Love in Modern Society

The word love has been used and misused differently in modern society. We have people who say:

• “I love ice cream”
• “I love my shoes”
• “I love the restaurant”

And all sorts of mundane things that we passionately apply love to. Some young ladies may be naive and be tricked or seduced into having unprotected sex with a sweet-talking young man who says “I love you, and if you love me, you will make love to me.”

Biblical Love: A Higher Standard

However, Godly love is what the Bible encourages us to show toward others; it is the selfless, sacrificial, and unconditional commitment to the well-being of others. This type of love reflects the nature of God according to 1 John 4:16, which states:

“We know how much God loves us, and we have put our trust in his love. God is love, and all who live in love live in God, and God lives in them.”

Love is the essence of God’s character and the defining quality of his relationship with humanity. Biblical love (agape) is steadfast, selfless, enduring, patient, kind, and not jealous (1 Corinthians 13).

Love in a Divisive World

In our world today, while some people profess love willingly and sometimes carelessly, making their profession of love superficial, their attitude lacks depth, and it appears more and more that people lack love, compassion, and empathy.

People are growing increasingly impatient and intolerant towards each other. Religion and politics have become so divisive. People from all over the world, Christians and non-Christians alike, are interested in American Politics and who leads the greatest country in the world, so much so that Christians and non-Christians organized prayer vigils and prayer sessions for their preferred candidate. There is so much passion and sometimes deep hatred.

When Christians Lose Focus

Unfortunately, even Christians mandated to preach Christ’s love are caught in these challenging issues. Because one person supports a political party or a candidate in families, churches, and among friends and colleagues, love has disappeared from homes between friends and from what would typically be a simple civil discussion. Religion and political views have become so toxic in civilized nations and among college-educated and non-college-educated people.

Recently, there was a prayer session recording trending on YouTube of two different religious groups in a particular country praying for two political candidates in another country. They pray to the God of the universe in their way, in their language, and through whatever name they call God. One group was praying for one of the candidates, and another group was praying for the other.

In some African countries, some Christians also prayed for the success of the two candidates from the different parties. And so the Christian religion, which is supposed to preach love and reach out to the world with the good news of the cross, has become so entangled with politics, and we seem to have forgotten our first love.

Returning to Our First Love

Yet, Apostle Paul admonishes us that showing love is an excellent way to live, to be a blessing to the world, and to make the world a better place (1 Corinthians 13:8):

“Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away.”

A Call to Love-Centered Living

When we find ourselves caught in divisiveness, we can practice returning to love by:

• Listening to understand, not just to respond
• Seeking common ground rather than focusing on differences
• Remembering our primary identity as followers of Christ, not political partisans
• Practicing empathy and compassion, even with those we disagree with
• Speaking truth with gentleness and respect

May we express the love of Christ to our friends, families, and neighbors in a Christ-like manner so that the world may be a better place through us in the name of Jesus, Amen.

Reflection Questions

How might your relationships change if you consistently practiced biblical love? In what areas of your life—family, church, work, online interactions—do you find it most challenging to demonstrate Christ’s love? What is one step you can take today to better reflect God’s love to those around you?