Diving Into Love: "It Does Not Dishonor Others"

Continuing our study, let's review our anchor passage:

1 Corinthians 13:4-7 NIV

[4] Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. [5] It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. [6] Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. [7] It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

Continuing our study in how to love people, we look at a simple sentence today at the start of verse 5, "It does not dishonor others." What does THAT mean? Other translations say it in a simple way that clarifies, "Is not rude." Love doesn't dishonor others by being rude. Love is not rude to people. We all know what being rude to someone is. So, we make up our minds beforehand that we will never be rude to people. 

That's what we have been learning in our anchor passage. By this passage, we decide in advance that this is how we will treat all people, no matter what. Then we KNOW we are loving them. 

For example, if you are always patient and kind to people, then you know you are loving them. If you are never rude to people, then you are loving them. See? Easy peesy. 

The anchor passage is also a great gauge to use to see if you are truly loving people. A way to check and monitor your behavior. 

For example, was I patient today? Was I kind today? Was I easily angered today? Etc. See?

Well, Jeff, why do I care how I treat people on a given day? Because, again, we all represent Jesus. The Church represents Jesus. We want people to see and feel the love of Jesus through us. So how we treat people in love is most important. Loving people is the only way God can use us to draw people to Himself so they can be saved too. It starts with truly loving people by treating people like it says in this passage. That's why I am doing an indepth study of this passage.

So, continuing on, again, don't be rude to anyone at any time.

Next, we will do a huge study on not being "self-seeking" which is being selfish. Love is not selfish!!

Through this extended study, we are really learning how to treat all people. We are learning how to truly love all people!! So cool!! I've been enjoying it and I hope you have been too. 

Love you all dear readers,

Jeffrey Post