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A Focus on "Love for Neighbor" (Matt. 22:39)

Who is my "Neighbor"?
[One type of "neighbor" that people tend to forget about is mentioned in Matthew 5:43-47. Be sure to include this in your list!]

1 Corinthians 13:4-8a describes this type of love. Read this passage and think about what it says. How can you put into practice the things mentioned in this passage? Below is a listing of the various characteristics mentioned in these verses. Write down some ways you can do these things, when you interact with other people. If there are some specific changes you need to make in how you interact (even with just one person), include those changes in your list. Remember that love - if it is genuine - will show itself even to "enemies."

Keep in mind that v. 8 says, "Love never fails." This means that it is an on-going action. We are to love others not only today, but also tomorrow and the day after... forever.

What Love Is / Does:

PATIENT
- during trials, or when people do things against you

KIND
- expressing itself (to others) in good ways (it results in actions, not just in claims to have love)

REJOICES WITH THE TRUTH
- and its expression/influence in society

ALWAYS PROTECTS
- endures their weaknesses, does not reveal their weaknesses to others

ALWAYS TRUSTS
- not constantly suspicious of others




ALWAYS HOPES
- has positive expectations (in some ways, the opposite of "giving-up" on others)

ALWAYS PERSEVERES
- keeps on going when others would give-up because of the circumstances

What Love Isn't / Doesn't Do:

ENVY
- wanting what others have




BOAST
- wanting to be the center of attention



PROUD
- arrogant, thinking you are better than others

RUDE
- crude, improper or inappropriate conduct

SELF-SEEKING
- selfish or wanting your own way (a "me first" attitude)

EASILY ANGERED
- quick-tempered, irritable



KEEPING A RECORD
OF WRONGS
- grudges, resentment

DELIGHT IN EVIL
- happy when sin and injustice are present

Things to Think About...

When the passage says that love "is" or "does" certain things, and "isn't" or "does not do" certain other things, what does this mean? Are such statements merely "optional suggestions" that we can choose to follow (or not follow)? Or are they an accurate description of what love really is? If a person does not have these characteristics in his life, what does that mean?
To what extent are these characteristics present in your life? (This is an indication of the extent that genuine love is present.)
Think about situations in your life, in which you did not show this type of love. How did you react? In what ways should you have reacted differently - ways that would have been an expression of love? [Since you will probably experience similar situations in the future, it would be beneficial for you to develop a habit of thinking about what love is and what it isn't. Then you might be able to react in a better way, in the future.]
How did God show his love to you? How can God's love be a pattern, or example, for you to follow?

PATIENT - during trials, or when people do things against you
KIND - expressing itself (to others) in good ways (it results in actions, not just in claims to have love)
REJOICES WITH THE TRUTH - and its expression/influence in society
ALWAYS PROTECTS - endures their weaknesses, does not reveal their weaknesses to others
ALWAYS TRUSTS - not constantly suspicious of others
ALWAYS HOPES - has positive expectations (in some ways, the opposite of "giving-up" on others)
ALWAYS PERSEVERES - keeps on going when others would give-up because of the circumstances

ENVY - wanting what others have
BOAST - wanting to be the center of attention
PROUD - arrogant, thinking you are better than others
RUDE - crude, improper or inappropriate conduct
SELF-SEEKING - selfish or wanting your own way (a "me first" attitude)
EASILY ANGERED - quick-tempered, irritable
KEEPING A RECORD OF WRONGS - grudges, resentment
DELIGHT IN EVIL - happy when sin and injustice are present