Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.

1 Corinthians 13: 7 (NLT)

Have you ever been a bit disillusioned by another person? Betrayed? Hurt? Have you come to the end of your own ability to love another who has harmed you? 

I think each of us has experienced a difficult relationship and this is where Paul’s expectation of a love that always hangs in, always believes in the other person, always hopes for the best, and always endures every circumstance is absolutely supernatural – that is, that this kind of love is beyond our natural abilities.

How do we love? I think there are two components. First, we are to determine in our hearts that we are willing to love. Jesus instructed us to love by determining in our own hearts to forgive others (Matthew 18).

Second, Paul’s discussion centers on love as the fruit of a Spirit-filled life.  Only then are we able to love the unlovable and those who have injured us.

This concept of love is not some pie-in-the-sky kind of ideal that can never be reached. We can love with a love that endures all things.

Think not? I think this passage challenges each of us to reconsider our thoughts on Christ-centered love.