“¶Love is patient, love is kind, is not jealous, does not brag, is not puffed up; it does not act unbecomingly, does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered; it bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.” 1 Corinthians 13:4-5, 7 LSB https://bible.com/bible/3345/1co.13.4-7.LSB

When I measure my life by love, I am a miserable failure. Every one of these qualities of love I regularly fail, significantly, abundantly to manifest daily. No patience, no kindness, no humility, no purity, no angerlessness, and little willingness to serve or help others. I need a Savior. God condemns such behavior, so my end would be certain if not for the love of God, Who demonstrated His love by coming to earth, living all of these qualities perfectly, then dying in my place under the wrath of God for failing to live a life of love. Because God is love, I am reconciled to God and can live with God as a son of God forever with the people of God, most of whom love others far better than myself. This is not a justification to not grow in love, but it is peace with God that I don’t have to get better at love before God can accept me. I pray for the Spirit of God to possess me, to overwhelm me with His presence, for He is love, and as He increases in presence and influence in my life, His life of love, the love Jesus exhibited when He lived among us as one of us, will manifest itself. I am thankful that God is love, understands my brokenness, and created a solution that would not preclude me from living forever with Him and those I love who also love Him. Great is the love of God. May it significantly grow in me and pour forth from me for His honor and glory forever.