February is known for Valentine’s Day. It is the day that we celebrate love in all its aspects, but especially romantic love. As Christians, though we experience romantic love, we are commanded by Christ to walk in love. However, relationships of all types can make it difficult to demonstrate love consistently. Some individuals can say and do things that make it difficult to love, but easy to dislike and despise. But, the command to love came in light of all these things.

Our final addition to the Love Chronicles deals with the unchangeable attributes of love; that is, The Stability of Love. True love carries with it strength and perseverance that cannot be rivaled by any other emotion. To conclude his description of love, Paul reveals its stability…

Love never stops being patient, never stops believing, never stops hoping, never gives up. Love never comes to an end. 1 Cor 13:7-8 (GW)

Have you ever been surprised by the actions of others? You thought you were friends and that you could count on them. Only to discover they changed their mind and attitude towards you. Well, love operates in an opposite manner. It never changes its disposition, thoughts, and attitudes. True Christian Love is defined by its ability to last and endure through the most difficult people and situations.

Love Never Stops. When we operate in love, we will not give up on individuals, even when they show no signs of improvement or appreciation. Paul states that love does not stop believing: loves maintains hope and demonstrates patience regardless of the circumstance. We stated earlier that love is sensible. It is true that all will not receive, appreciate, or change because love is shown to them. However, love maintains hope until the end.

Love Never Gives Up. God does not give up on us. He exercises great compassion and mercy when we fail repeatedly. He knows that many of us will not get it at first, but with love, we will rise up. We have to have this in mind as we deal with others and show love. Even if they are unresponsive and unrepentant of ways and deeds, we should not give up on them. We have to get past personal goals and feelings and allow grace and time to help the individuals. Do not give up on individuals in the midst of their process and change. Remember, a little love goes a long way.

Love Never Comes to an End. Simply put, LOVE. And when you think you have shown and given more love than you have, Love some more. His love for us never ends and we have to be willing to be demonstrators of that same type of love while we live.

Though it challenges our sensibilities, emotions, and patience, we have to endeavor to operate in True Love, which finds its definition within the person of Christ. Those of us that have received Him know what it is like to be loved in spite of whatever. Thus, we should return this to others. When we do this, we prove ourselves to be the children of God indeed.

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