You Complete MeNäide

Day 2) Morality

Three Choices That Will Trip You Up

1) Rushing The Process

“Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant” (1 Cor. 13:4 ESV).

In these verses, the Apostle Paul describes the love he suggests is missing from the church in Corinth in verses 1-3. Interestingly, one of the ways he describes true love is by calling it “patient.” When we consider the life of Jesus, it’s clear that patience is at the core of His character. One doesn’t have to look any further than the countless times He had to re-explain His mission and re-embrace His twelve disciples. In your relationships, especially in your dating relationships, it’s always best to take things as slowly as possible. If God is truly at the center, then waiting won’t ruin it.

2) Keeping The Score

“or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful;” (1 Cor. 13:5 ESV).

What does Paul mean when he says that love “is not irritable or resentful”? It means that we don’t hold grudges. It means that we allow God’s forgiveness for us to flow through us into our relationships with others. What if God only loved us at the level of our most recent mistake? In your relationships, strive to forgive—and ask for forgiveness—quickly. If someone in your life is constantly reminding you of your mistakes and not allowing you to move forward, it may be time to set clear boundaries with that person.

3) Avoiding The Truth

“it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.” (1 Cor. 13:6-7 ESV).

When you have deep feelings for someone, it can be easy to have blinders on. Rather than embracing the truth of a situation, we can begin to tell ourselves lies in order to make our eyes see what our hearts already feel. However, in a relationship built on God’s love, the truth must always be at the forefront. Jesus never allowed His love to be an excuse for lying, because He knew that speaking the truth was the most loving thing He could do.

Big Idea: Failure in relationships often begins with rushing ahead, holding onto grudges and avoiding the truth. True love, as described by Paul in 1 Corinthians 13, requires patience, forgiveness and an unwavering commitment to honesty.

Let's Think About This:

Question 1) How can rushing into a relationship lead to failure, and why is patience an essential part of true love?

Question 2) What are some practical ways to forgive quickly and stop "keeping score" in relationships?

Question 3) How does embracing the truth, even when it's hard, protect and strengthen relationships?