Devotional

‘A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ Matthew 22:39 You are important

‘A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have

‘Jesus said to him, “ ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your

“Jesus said to him, ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart,

‘Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud ‘ 1

“Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself,

Please, hold your own heart up to this scripture. Does your mind travel back to what your spouse did years ago when you argue today? Do you refuse to help someone, not because God said no, but because last time they mishandled your kindness?

If we are going to take this scripture at its word, and we should because it is true, then we must be honest with ourselves. If you have a short temper, if you are easily irritated, easily angered, easily offended, then the problem is not just your temper or your emotions. The problem is your love level.

Love will sacrifice it’s own desire so that you get what you want at all cost. Not seeking your own way means your interest is not even an option. The scripture does not say love does not seek its own way first. It says love does not seek its own. Period. Love is not calculating personal advantage. Love is not asking, “What is in this for me?”