By Rev Josh Chigorimbo, July 2014
INTRODUCTION:
Many Christians today are very Corinthian! The trouble with them, like the Corinthians of old, is that they are gifted, knowledgeable and passionate, but don’t demonstrate the character of Christ in their lives, families and ministries. The one essential quality in God’s nature is LOVE. In fact God is love (1 John 4:8)! We too must learn to walk in the God-kind of love (Greek, agape). We can’t be truly walking with God without walking in love. How do we know whether we are still walking with God? Not by some fuzzy feeling, nor by some subjective measure! What’s the spiritual litmus test for love? Lest there be confusion, Scripture unveils 16 precious features of agape-love (1 Co 13:4-8). It serves as a True Love Checklist. The “checklist” tells us what love is like and what it doesn’t do. I like to periodically review my conduct in light of this revelation to verify that I’m still walking in true love, that is, still in GOD! Whenever necessary, I repent and get back into agape. Then I’m back in faith, because faith works by love (Galatians 5:6). Will you do that?
1. TRUE LOVE IS PATIENT
2. TRUE LOVE IS KIND
3. TRUE LOVE IS NOT ENVIOUS
4. TRUE LOVE IS NOT BOASTFUL
5. TRUE LOVE IS NOT ARROGANT
6. TRUE LOVE IS NOT RUDE
7. TRUE LOVE IS NOT SELFISH
8. TRUE LOVE IS NOT IRRITABLE
9. TRUE LOVE DOES NOT RECORD OTHERS’ MISTAKES
10. TRUE LOVE DOESN’T CELEBRATE OTHERS’ PROBLEMS
11. TRUE LOVE CELEBRATES THE TRUTH
12. TRUE LOVE BEARS ALL THINGS
13. TRUE LOVE KEEPS BELIEVING
14. TRUE LOVE KEEPS HOPING
15. TRUE LOVE PERSEVERES
16. TRUE LOVE NEVER FAILS
© Rev Josh Chigorimbo 2014