Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

I Corinthians 13:6

I am beginning to see that the love that God gives us, his children, is so radical that it is easily dismissed.  That is what I do, by the way.  The love that God gives us does not flicker or change, depending on the persons involved.  It always works the same way!

Let’s move slowly through the text.  Love does not delight in evil.  Even if it is deserved?  Especially so.  I can get so down on another person that there is simply no love left there at all.  That is not at all what the Lord is talking about.  This love does not delight in evil but loves the truth.

Then, the word, always.  Paul uses it four times here.  Does it describe me?  Always protecting, always trusting, always hoping, always persevering.  In one sentence always appears four times.  Does that mean always?  Is there no place to hate?

I leave this to simmer in my own soul and may it be the same with you.  By loving always I cut short the works of Satan.  It is hard to grasp that I should love always, even when I am wired to hate?  That is one of the many mysteries of new life in Christ.  Join me in embracing this truth.