How to Family

Today’s reading is out of 1 Corinthians 13:1-13. Begin today’s devotion by reading this passage in your Bible.

Can you come up with a definition that accurately describes what love is? It’s not an easy task. Truth be told, most of our definitions often feel incomplete. In 1 Corinthians 13, the Apostle Paul writes one of the most famous descriptions of love. In his description, notice that he doesn’t give us a dictionary definition of love, but instead tells us what love looks like. That’s because love must be expressed. When it comes to our spiritual family or family of origin, these verses will teach us how to best express Jesus’ love in those relationships. Let’s reflect further on the kind of love God calls us to have in our relationships.

1 Corinthians 13:1-13 1 If I speak in the tonguesof men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. 3 If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.
4 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. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. 9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part, 10 but when completeness comes, what is in part disappears. 11 When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me.12 For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. 13 And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.

Reflect

1. In verses 1-3, what does Paul say should be the underlying motivation for all that we do? Why is that motivation so important?
2. Look through the descriptions of love in verses 4-7. List the things love “does.” Then list the things love “does not do.” Which description of love stands out the most to you?
3. How have you experienced God demonstrating this kind of love in your life?\
4. Which of the descriptions of love in 1 Corinthians 13:4-13 would you like to reflect more this year?

Act

Take some time this week to memorize 1 Corinthians 13:4-6. Turn it into a prayer you begin each day with. Ask the Holy Spirit to use you to demonstrate His love to those in your life.

Pray

Jesus, thank You for demonstrating what true and unconditional love looks like. While we may not get it perfect all the time, help us live out sacrificial love in our family and accountability relationships. In Jesus’ name, amen.