Donna Putney

Since Monday is Valentine’s Day, I’ve decided it is fitting to hear what the Apostle Paul has to say about God’s love.

Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 (NIV): “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.” 

This is a very familiar passage of scripture. You hear it often at weddings because it talks about love being patient, kind and never ending. These are all beautiful things to hear on your wedding day, but these words that Paul preaches mean so much more than how we treat our spouse.

When we are not so loving, God is. When we are not patient and kind, God is. When we are insistent on our own way, irritable and resentful, God is not.

God in Jesus rushes in to find us in our brokenness and imperfection — finds us like a bride and groom sculpting their perfect day, presenting what we all hope will be a perfect life. But we know better, the ways love is not perfect. Those ways live with us in all our human communities. So Paul tells his Corinthian congregation and us that our brokenness is not the last word. Love will not allow it.

Love, as revealed in Jesus, will bring us to forgiveness and new life. Our love for each other will never be perfect, but in Christ Jesus, love is always possible. Love never ends.

The message Jesus, as well as the prophets of old and today, preach and teach, is a message of love. We find love in fellowship between each other and those we have not met. We do things throughout our lives for the good of others and all of creation. We need to understand that patience, kindness, being respectful, giving comfort, being honorable, giving love to others freely and being forgiving is the foundation of the love God commands us to share with each other.

These words are not adjectives describing love, but action words (verbs), given to use in scripture to physically share our love with each other. This kind of love brings us into fellowship with God, our neighbor and those who we may never meet.

Being in community with others is how God intended us to live. God’s definition of fellowship/community is a kind of belonging that isn’t based on status, achievement or gender, but instead on a deep belief that everyone matters, everyone is welcome and everyone is loved, no conditions, no exceptions.                                                            

We may think as Christians, it is our only job to expel sin and evil, but I don’t believe that is what God is asking us to do. We are not here to judge; Jesus died on the cross to expel evil and sin. Our job or purpose is to love one another.

So when you think about “love” this Valentine’s Day, remember that it isn’t simply a thought in your mind, but an action you do — not just on this day, but every day.

God’s peace to you all.

(Donna Putney is the pastor at Hope Lutheran Church in Powell).