Today is the second day of February. When you mention February, many think of it as the month to intentionally celebrate love. After all, February 14th is a day we are expected to show our spouse, children, friends, and other family members that we love them. The past three devotions have focused on I Corinthians 13:4. In going through this chapter we are learning how God, the author of love, defines it and expects us to express it. Today, we will focus on the last part of the verse. Love that is real does not vaunt itself, nor is it puffed up. In our vernacular, we would say they are not to be boastful or full of pride.
I Corinthians 13:4 “Charity (love) suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,”
The person who is boastful and full of pride is an “all about me” person. They are full of self. Their actions will cause you to think they feel superior to others. They may be compassionate or considerate in some situations, but only if others’ feelings line up with theirs. They think their feelings are paramount to others. Yet, they have no regrets or guilt when they disregard the feelings of others.
I Corinthians 3:21 “Therefore let no man glory in men. For all things are yours;”
We are not to glory or boast in anything that we have done or what we have. If there is anything good about us or what we have, it is because God has given it.
I Corinthians 1:31 “That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.”
When we are saved, we should not yield to these fleshly feelings. When God pours his love in our hearts at salvation, He supplies the love we need to love the way Jesus loves. It is a love that is more concerned with giving of itself than what it may gain. In Romans 5:5, the love of God is placed in our hearts. The verse says “shed abroad” which indicates an abundance. However, it is up to us to tap into that source and let it flow out of us. Without the Holy Spirit, it would be impossible to love people God’s way. We are all born sinners, and without God, we will act like sinners. We will be consumed with gaining all we can from others. When they do not meet our needs, we would be done with them.
Romans 5:5 “And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.”
It’s time for a check-up on our love for others. Do you expect people to reciprocate when you do something for them? If so, you don’t have a giving love; your pride governs how and when you love others. Do you think you are better than some people? Do you limit who you associate with based on their status in life? Are you often talking about what you have achieved in life?
Think about it. We are to love the way God loves us. He gave His only Son to die for our sins. We see in Romans 5:8 that God demonstrated His love for us, not because we loved Him; we were His enemies. But simply because He chose to love us. His love was sacrificial. It surpasses all other loves ever known to mankind. He suffered on the cross for sins he did not commit so that we could spend eternity with Him, and escape the pits of Hell that we deserve. None of us have anything to boast about or be prideful about.
Romans 5:8 “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”
If we are to be Christ-like, we will be a humble servant. There will be no room for pride or boasting. The verses below explain Christ’s attitude, and the attitude we should have.
Philippians 2:6-8 “Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.”
