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1 Corinthians 13:4-7 (5b)
In 1 Corinthians 13:5b (NKJV) we learn that [love] “does not seek its own,”. This is different than “parading” or being “puffed up” as the Apostle Paul states in 1 Corinthians 13:4c, d as parading or being puffed up are focused on oneself. The focus of “not seeking its own” is to put one’s focus on others. Jesus gave a new command in John 13:34 as He declared, “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another.” Jesus does not simply give us the command, but He tells us why we should obey the command as we learn in John 13:35, “By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”
This is a promise that love seeks the needs of others.
This is a command to love one another as Christ Jesus first loved us and gave Himself for each of us.
The Apostle Paul states in Philippians 2:3-5 (NIV), “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.
“In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus.”
We should be representatives of Jesus in the world today. We should strive to let others see God’s love working in our lives through our attitudes and actions. We should be walking, talking, living examples of God’s love – examples of the love of Christ Jesus to all those we come in contact with each day. We can all do a better job of this; I know that I certainly can. This is growing in our relationships with God through our salvation in Christ Jesus; something that God desires us to do each day – in Christ.
Dear LORD,
You are love. Your being is to seek and save the lost, and to help us all grow in our relationships with You each day as we draw closer and closer to You. Please work through us all to be more thoughtful of others in putting them before ourselves – in Christ. In Jesus name I pray, amen.