Jimbo's Jots

“For now there are faith,
    hope, and love.
But of these three,
    the greatest is love.” (1 Corinthians 13:13, CEV)

Several weeks ago, I talked about communication being the life blood to our relationships. I proposed the idea that, like blood in our bodies, when healthy, communication gives us a better life.

Here’s what drives that life blood – love. Now Paul states as he concludes this section of his letter to the church in Corinth that there are three elements that keep relationships alive – faith, hope and love – but adds that the greatest is love. The bigger picture in Corinth is there are broken relationships. Chapter 11 you have conflict with the poor and the wealthy. Chapter 12, we see broken unity over spiritual gifts and who has the better gift. Chapter 14, we find conflict over worship. And tucked in the middle of all of the Paul says, “You can have the gifts but without love, you have nothing. You can have enough faith to create a miracle, but it’s just noise if you don’t have love. ” (1 Corinthians 13:1-3, Jim’s translation)

So as a celebration of love peeks through over the next week, let me ask, “How is your love life?” Let’s take a test. Check off the ones you feel you’re doing well in:

• I am patient
• I am kind
• I’m not jealous of others
• I’m not proud and boastful
• I do not dishonor others
• I’m not seeking to make myself look good
• I’m not angry easily
• I do not remember the wrong others have done against me
• I do not celebrate when a wrong is done
• I celebrate when truth prevails
• I trust
• I protect others
• I always the good in all things because of hope
• I will never stop trying to love
• Because of love, I never want to settle on failure

Well, how did you do? As I work with couples, I always check to see what they see as strengths in their relationship. I also want them to be honest to say, there is the area where I need to grow. So, how’s your love life? Where are you strong based on our metric? Where do you need to grow? As you live a life of Christ, may the love of God compel us in our love for others.

Be blessed in your loving and be a blessing to others in love!