Love Divine: Meditations for the Advent, Christmas, and New Year SeasonSample

"Fourth Sunday of Advent: Love is Not Self-Seeking"

The selfish, self-centered way that most of us usually live is directly contrary to love, which the Bible says “does not insist on its own way” (I Corinthians 13:5). Love does not live for self-interest or self-advantage. It does not pursue self-gratification but practices self-denial instead. 

Frankly, this was an area where the Corinthians struggled. They did not love one another with a selfless love but often insisted on their own way. They argued over idolatry (I Corinthians 10), barged ahead of each other while partaking of the Lord’s Supper, (I Corinthians 11:17-22), and interrupted each other during worship services (I Corinthians 14:26-33).  

By setting a bad example, the Corinthians give us some good ways to test our affections. When I am engaged in an argument, am I willing to let someone else be right? When resources are limited, is it my habit to let other people go first? When someone else has something to say, am I able to shut up and listen? 

Unfortunately, most of us have as much trouble in these areas as the Corinthians did. Selfishness is so deeply ingrained in Western culture that many people see self-love as a virtue. We see this in the way that people pursue their careers, always trying to get ahead of someone else. We see it in the way they spend their money on personal pleasure or either neglect or relentlessly drive their children. 

Paul’s exhortation to imitate Christ, the Love Divine, brings us back to the saving work and perfect example of Jesus, whose life is love itself. Every part of the love portrait in I Corinthians 13 comes to living color when we see it displayed in Jesus Christ. His love is the most patient and kind, the least envious and boastful, of all possible loves. It is also the least selfish of all loves and the most insistent on seeking the good of others. The “Gift-love” of God, writes C. S. Lewis, “desires what is simply best for the beloved.”

Are we doing our best, every day, to seek the good of others?