Love never fails 1 Corinthians 13:9

MESSAGE:
In The Conjuring 3, Ed and Lorraine are married occult hunters investigating why a boy is possessed. They find an occultist fanatic living under their house with the power to turn humans into demonic puppets. When Ed is taken over, the only way to break the curse’s power is for Ed to remember how much he loves Lorraine. This movie earns the award for cheesiest ending. 

Love never fails is one of the Bible verses most likely to be found embroidered on a pillow. People understand this verse to mean our problems will disappear if we are more congenial, caring, thoughtful, and polite. It sounds excellent, and movies like to state that.

But they fail to mention how love is a skill we need to sharpen. It takes work, bravery, and critical thinking. If we follow the world’s definition of love, we get the nonsense ending from The Conjuring 3. We must experience love from God to pass it along. Here is the types of love that fails.

Love is emotional: If you love someone when you have the best feelings toward them, your love will fail when you don’t “feel” like loving them.

Love ignores the negative: If you love someone in a way that ignores their unhealthy habits or offenses, then your love will fail when that person doesn’t grow.

Love has selection: If you love only a select number of people, groups, or communities, then your love is fickle and limited.

Love is mortal: If your love only takes care of the physical things (food, water, and clothes) but neglects the spiritual things (eternity, spirit, and soul), then you rob others of love’s full potential.

None of these love types are inappropriate. They are biblical ways to show others you care for them. But the Christian’s love is called to grow, mature, and expand. This involves trusting God, leaving your comfort zone, and recalling how Christ loved the people around them.

It takes a lifetime to grow a love that never fails, but it’s the only trait God wants to invest in. 
 
Research: Mark 10:21-22, Matthew 10:42, John 14:6, Luke 6:35

In these four verses, Jesus demonstrates different kinds of love. What are they?

How will these various forms of love benefit the recipient? Is one better than the other?

Which type of love are you generous with? Which type of love do you want to grow into?


The Checkpoint: Year One is a book!
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