- “Love is patient” (1 Corinthians 13:4). To lack patience is to lack love.
- “Love is kind… It is not rude” (1 Corinthians 13:4-5). Spouses who are thoughtless, inconsiderate and ill-mannered have much to learn about the way love behaves.
- “Love… does not insist on its own way” (1 Corinthians 13:5). To act ‘loving’ only when it gets what one wants, falls far short of real love. Become a truly unselfish lover – meet the needs of your spouse!
- “Love… not irritable” (1 Corinthians 13:5). Loving people do not make a habit of being irritable and short-tempered. Holding onto anger grieves the Spirit (Ephesians 4:26,30).
- “Love… not resentful” (1 Corinthians 13:5). Bringing up old faults is the opposite of love and forgiveness. Continually forgive and give a fresh start, as God does for you (Ephesians 4:32; Colossians 3:13).18
- “Love… bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends” (1Cor 13:7-8). Christ-like love is dependable and never quits. That is why the Christian stays to work out problems and to build a truly loving relationship.
18. Research Subject – Forgive: Proverbs 19:11; 24:29,17; 25:21-22; Ecclesiastes 7:21; Matthew 6:12-15; 18:21-35; Mark 11:25; Luke 6:35-37; 17:3-4; Romans 12:14-21; 2 Corinthians 2:7-10; Ephesians 4:32; Colossians 3:13; Philemon 1:18 cf. Exodus 23:4-5; Proverbs 10:12; 17:9; Matthew 5:7,39-46; John 20:23; 1 Corinthians 4:12; 1 Peter 3:9; 4:8 e.g. Genesis 33:4,11; 45:4-15; 50:15-21; Numbers 12:1-13; Deuteronomy 15:1-2; 1 Samuel 24:17-19; 26:9,23; 2 Samuel 1:17-23; Nehemiah 10:31; Luke 7:41-43; 23:34. See Lesson 7 – “The Loving Family”, Segment “Follow The Leader – Jesus!” Note 10.