Love

What is a four-letter word that we are encouraged to say? 

"If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing," (1 Corinthians 13:3 NIV).

Love: "Deep affection and warm feelings for another." (The American Heritage Dictionary, Fourth Edition 2001).

I just realized, as I read the definition in my 'old' dictionary, that the meaning of love in a current publication might be completely different. I don't think I want to search for a 2026 version of love. The example shown throughout the Bible is the one I want to use.

In reading the Scripture again, the meaning and purpose of love seems to indicate that to love is beneficial to the givers. Love is living our lives for someone else's good. Love is a decision followed by an action. Love makes us more like Jesus. That's the real goal in a Christian's life.

"If I give everything I own to the poor and even go to the stake to be burned as a martyr, but I don't love, I've gotten nowhere. So, no matter what I say, what I believe, and what I do, I'm bankrupt without love,"  (1 Corinthians 13:3 The Message in Contemporary Language). 

Paul, the author of the letter to the Corinthians, concludes his love chapter with the following:

"Trust steadily in God, hope unswervingly, love extravagantly. And the best of the three is love," (1 Corinthians 13:13 The Message in Contemporary Language).

O, God,  we know that love is the greatest of all human qualities. Love is what shows we care. Love is what You have shown to us over and over. Help us love others like ourselves. Let us live today, filled with love for others. Show us when to love, how to love, and make us live with love. God, we thank You for Your love in sending Your Son, Jesus, to give His life for us. Fill our hearts with love today and every day. We pray in Jesus' Name, Amen.