Brothers and Sisters, I have written this post 4 other times. It should be the easiest post to write because it summarizes Paul's exposition on love. Here is our text from 1 Corinthians 13:
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
8 Love never fails.
This should be the easiest post. However, one must be very careful not to mislead. If we talk about love then we must transcend this world and point toward the cross. Paul's final statement about love is that Love never fails. Remember, this is not Disney love. For our purposes here we are talking about Agape- the strongest love. Agape never fails.
Paul's last statement has been the most difficult for me to reconcile. I have often witnessed the death of what we commonly refer to as love. So, how then, can we reconcile what Paul says here with the horrible truth that is our reality? The truth that we have all been eyewitnesses or participants in love that has indeed failed.
My heart cried out when I reflected on these final words in this section from Paul. I wanted to say Paul is a filthy liar! How is it that love never fails when I know love fails. I have seen love die a multitude of deaths. I have seen love die in families, in churches, in communities, in friendships, in parent/child relationships, and in marriages. What does Paul mean love never fails? Then why is there so much pain in the world? Why is there so much pain in my world!? Yes, I compared the word of God to my own life and I cried foul!
But God!
God spoke to my heart as only He can. He said David, you are a fool. (I knew that already). You still think Paul wrote as a man to men. No David, Paul was writing My words to men. The problem is not that love fails. The problem is you still don't understand Agape! Agape is a picture of my relationship with Israel. They kept turning away from me, and I kept on loving them. Agape is a picture of Jesus' love for the world. When the people who welcomed Jesus into the city turned on Him and yelled 'crucify him' soon after, Jesus said, 'Forgive them Father.' That is love. Paul never promised that relationships would never fail. He said love never fails.
Even though some children cannot stand to be in the same room with their parents, the loving spirit of God in the parent will allow that parent to continue praying for that wayward child. Even though that boss or coworker treats a person like dirt. My spirit in that person can allow them to love through being mistreated. Even though that spouse has made the other feel like a leper. My treasure in that earthen vessel will cause that spouse to stay in the marriage and continue to love the other person. It is not the person that loves, but the spirit of God in the person that loves.
So beloved, I will leave you with this logical proof of Paul's great final statement on love.
God is love.
Love never fails.
God never fails.
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