Corinthians 13:4-8
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.
 Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away.
 
Gospel Sharing
I first came to faith during the most lost chapter of my life, which was when I began reading the Bible. Once, after a heated argument with my boyfriend that led to another breakup, I felt utterly despondent. I aimlessly flipped open the Bible and came across 1 Corinthians 13:4-8. In that moment, tears streamed down my face; I realized how wrong my attitude toward him had been. However, because our relationship had been trapped in a cycle of emotional manipulation for so long, we were both exhausted, and it eventually ended in a breakup.
 
It was through this scripture that I understood love isn't about possession, but about supporting and uplifting one another. While the passage is easy to understand, the phrase "It does not dishonor others"  stood out. In the original Greek, it refers to avoiding inappropriate or reckless behavior. These "shameful" acts are things done in the dark actions that are unseemly and lack truth. Looking back, I often used "breakups" as a threat whenever I was dissatisfied, using sarcasm to hurt my partner. Once these thoughtless, reckless behaviors become a habit, the other person’s heart becomes numb, the foundation of the relationship crumbles, and the bond inevitably fades. I was also once entangled in a love triangle, which I now see wasn't love at all because true love is honest and lives in the light.
 
This scripture isn't just about romance; it describes the very essence of love—what it should and shouldn't be. The question is: Can humans actually achieve this? It is incredibly difficult to live out such love. Because of our sinful nature, selfishness, and fear of being hurt, we become calculative and suspicious, finding it hard to treat others with genuine faith. If we don’t believe in the selfless love of Jesus—who was crucified for our sins—it is nearly impossible to embody this mindset on our own. Think about it: Jesus never asked, "Will you believe in me if I die for you?" Instead, He chose to die first. He sacrificed Himself first, and only through that sacrifice was this kind of love born.
 
Over the years, I have turned my back on God’s word more times than I can count, yet He has always treated me with kindness and patience. Whenever I return to Him, He never abandons me; He teaches me. In contrast, when betrayal or stubbornness occurs between people, it often results in hatred or alienation. Applying this scripture to marriage has also helped me understand the profound meaning of " do not be yoked together with unbelievers" .  An attitude of love is, in fact, a reflection of one's values. If only one person is striving to uphold these values, the journey becomes exceptionally difficult.
 
Have you ever wondered—how boundless and profound is this grace that flows from the love of Jesus?