The word “love” it is one of the sweetest words in the English language. Dr. James Packer in his book, Your Father Loves You, comments on the word love.
“The Greek word agape (love) seems to have been virtually a Christian invention—a new word for a new thing (apart from about twenty occurrences in the Greek version of the Old Testament, it is almost non-existent before the New Testament). Agape draws its meaning directly from the revelation of God in Christ. It is not a form of natural affection, however, intense, but a supernatural fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22). It is a matter of will rather than feeling (for Christians must love even those they dislike – Matt. 5:44-48). It is the basic element in Christ-likeness. Read 1 Corinthians 13 and note what these verses have to say about the primacy (vv. 1-3) and permanence (vv. 8-13) of love; note too, the profile of love (vv. 4-7) which they give.”
After reading 1 Corinthians 13, take The Test of Love and see how well you do.
Heart Searching Self Analysis
Am I a Loving Person?
1 Corinthians 13:1-13
“Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing. Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away. For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away. When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things. For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known. And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.”
1. I am long suffering with others.
Yes ___ No ___
2. I am a kind person.
Yes ___ No ___
3. I do not envy others nor covet what they have.
Yes ___ No ___
4. I do not try to promote myself at the expense of others.
Yes ___ No ___
5. I do not think more highly of myself than I should.
Yes ___ No ___
6. I do not behave in public or private in an unseemly manner that would bring shame and reproach.
Yes ___ No ___
7. I do not seek to advance myself at the expense of others.
Yes ___ No ___
8. I am not easily provoked to anger.
Yes ___ No ___
9. I do not think the worst about others nor ascribe to them motives they may or may not have.
Yes ___ No ___
10. I do not take delight in acts of iniquity.
Yes ___ No ___
11. I take great delight in the truth;
Yes ___ No ___
12. I am willing to endure difficult situations without complaint.
Yes ___ No ___
13. I believe all things found in the Scripture and take hope in the goodness and grace of God.
Yes ___ No ___
14. Hope springs eternal in my heart regardless of circumstances.
Yes ___ No ___
15. I have learned to endure situations that are stressful.
Yes ___ No ___
16.I never fail to love individuals, no matter how difficult they become.
Yes ___ No ___