Soap Box

There are few words in the English language that get used in more ways than the little four-letter word �love.�

I love my kids.

I love football.

I�d love to be rich.

I love to watch the sunrise.

I�d love to see him fall down and break his neck.

So the word love can be used in a negative connotation as well as a term of endearment. I Know� I do it too, we all do, but did you ever stop and think about the true meaning of love, and with all due respect, not the one in Mr. Webster�s dictionary, but the one in the Word of God, the Book of 1 Corinthians Chapter 13.

The author, Paul, says that even if he could speak with the tongues of men and angels but did not love people, his words would mean no more that a cymbal crash. That if he had the gift of prophecy, could fathom all mysteries and had all knowledge and even had faith that could move mountains, he would still be nothing without love.

Let me quote verse 4 directly:

�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 records of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.�

He goes on to say that prophecies will cease and knowledge will pass away but love goes on forever, and that love is even greater than faith and hope.

When we look at Paul�s description of love we can see how far we have drifted from God�s standards.

Paul says love is patient.  

We, and I mean this collectively - including myself - have basically run out of patience. We want what we want and we want it right now and heaven help the service person or the worker at the fast food place who stands in our way of getting it right now.

Love is kind.

Love washes the dishes occasionally, puts aside important work and takes the time to look at the drawing your first grader brought home from school and is so proud of.

Love is not envious. 

It rejoices when one of our friends accomplishes something, instead of saying, �That should have been me. Why him? �He�s no smarter than I am,� we are supposed to be happy for our friend�s good fortune.

Love doesn�t boast.

When you see old friends say at a high school reunion are you ever tempted to let everybody know just how successful you�ve been in your life, the house you live in or the car you drive or just how wonderful your son�s college grades are.

Love does not dishonor others.

Love does not lord it over other people just because you can. In fact - in my humble opinion - the way you treat other people is the measuring stick as to what kind of person you really are.

Love does not fly off the handle and understands about the daughter�s new boyfriend, the son�s first speeding ticket, the grandchild who broke your favorite vase or the black sheep of the family who is always in some kind of trouble.

Love protects and trusts and the institution of marriage is built on those two principles. Marriage is about protecting your loved one, protecting them from harm, from hurt, from anything the world brings to your doorstep, and without trust there can be no successful marriage.

When we look at God�s definition of �love� we can realize just how deep his perfect love for us goes. He wants us to love each other just like He loves us, and oh people, just think about just what a wonderful world we�d live in if we would.

There is an old song that goes, �What the world needs now is love sweet love.�

I couldn�t agree more.

What do you think?

Pray for our troops and the peace of Jerusalem.

God Bless America

� Charlie Daniels

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