Love
Assumes the Best
[Love]
bears all things, believes all things,
hopes
all things, endures all things.—1 Corinthians
13:7
Love has no limits. Love never says, "You've gone too far. I can't love you
now.” "All things” means everything is included. Christlike love leaves
no doubt in the mind of another that you will continue to love steadfastly. Do
those close to you know that they can fail and do foolish things, yet you will
not falter in your love for them? Are others assured that, even when they hurt
you, you still love them, holding nothing against them?
Love assumes the best about others. If someone inadvertently offends you, you
choose to believe the offense was unintentional. If someone seeks to harm you,
you "bear all things,” forgiving unconditionally. If a positive light can be
shed on a difficult encounter, you grasp it. If someone continually provokes
you, you "endure all things.” You never lose hope in the ones you love. You
practice the same unconditional love toward others that Christ gives to you.
Paul said that he was nothing if he had the faith to move mountains, the
tongue of an angel, and the gift of prophecy to understand all mysteries, yet
did not have God's love. It is unacceptable to say, "Well, I just can't love
people that way!” When God loves people through you, this is the only kind of
love He has! Read 1
Corinthians 13 with gratitude that God has already expressed this complete
and selfless love to you. Pray and ask Him to express it through you now,
to others.
—Experiencing God Day by Day
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