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Love Never Fails...Does it?
By Criss Bertling

It’s February and Valentine’s Day is upon us. Most of us have been in love at least once; many are in love now. Others are in new relationships and some are seeking that “special someone” to love. God tells us in 1 Corinthians 13 that, “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.”

Wow! I don’t know about you but I’d just about kill to have that kind of perfect relationship with someone. Who wouldn’t want to find a person who is patient, kind, giving, humble, polite – someone who will never bring up our failures and shortcomings. A soul-mate who always trusts and protects, a person who perseveres through the tough times with hopeful expectation. Someone who . . .

Wait a second. That all sounds great, but what if that “someone” we’re looking for is looking for the same things – how would we measure up? Let’s think about that passage from God’s Word again.

What Love is:
    • Patient
    • Kind

What Love is not:
    • Envious
    • Boastful
    • Proud
    • Rude
    • Self-seeking
    • Easily angered

What Love does:
    • Keeps no record of wrongs
    • Does not delight in evil
    • Rejoices with the truth
    • Always protects
    • Always hopes
    • Always perseveres
    • Never fails

As much as I want to be, I can never in a million years be all that love is according to Scripture. And I am just as certain that I will never find a soul-mate who is perfect love by God’s definition. The fact is there is only one being who is all of those things: God. Why? Because God IS love. We are not love, we are merely the objects of His love. Because He loves us so perfectly, we are able to love Him. And it is our ability to have that love relationship with God that enables us to love others.

As you look into the eyes of that special someone, or you stare across the room at that someone who doesn’t seem so special any longer, or you yearn for that that perfect soul-mate, stop and ask yourself this question: If love never fails, if love is perfect, and only God is love, why do I keep looking for the perfect love in another human being? And what makes me think I am the perfect love?

God’s definition of love in 1 Corinthians 13:4-8a describes the Holy Trinity itself. The most we can do is strive to be more like God in the way we give and receive love. So this Valentine’s Day, why not thank God for His perfect love and ask Him to help you become the loving, kind, trusting, patient, caring soul-mate you have always wanted to have. You may just experience a miracle!