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“True Love or Something Else?”

Thoughts for Today:

Love doesn't try to prove how great it is. It doesn't require acknowledgment or recognition. It works inside of us, and for the most part, is hidden from view. God's kind of love does not brag about -- nor promote itself.

In Luke 5:14, Jesus said to the man with leprosy who was healed: "Don't tell anyone, but go, show yourself to the priest and offer the sacrifices that Moses commanded for your cleansing, as a testimony to them." The New Testament contains many verses in which Jesus instructed people to remain silent (Matthew 9:30, 12:16, 16:20; Mark 1:44, 5:43, 8:26, 8:30; Luke 8:56 and 9:21). Biblical scholars have proposed many reasons for this instruction; however, there is one place in Scripture where Jesus explains Himself:

Matthew 12:15-19: "Aware of this, Jesus withdrew from that place. Many followed him, and he healed all their sick, warning them not to tell who he was. This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah: 'Here is my servant whom I have chosen, the one I love, in whom I delight; I will put my Spirit on him, and he will proclaim justice to the nations. He will not quarrel or cry out; no one will hear his voice in the streets.'"

Jesus fulfilled prophecy by not quarreling, crying out, nor lifting His name up on the streets. He was obedient to the Father's will, which led ultimately to His death on the Cross. If we now read Chapter 13 with the understanding that Paul is speaking about the sacrificial nature and character of God's love towards us personally -- then we can't help but overflow with His kind of love to those around us. In fact, any of our own boastfulness or pride about love seems kind of silly.

Questions to Ponder:

Do you need your acts of love to be recognized? If so, is it truly love or something else? Over the next several verses Paul will illustrate the nature of God's love. Will you both learn and apply these principles in your own life and relationships?

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About the author

Pocket Devotions are written by Mike Brooks. A retired businessman, he is Moderator of South Shores church, leads the Deacon Board, serves on the finance committee, and he teaches a Men's Bible study and the Men's Ministry. Mike has a passion for evangelical missions. He is the husband of Sherry; the father of Ryan, Natalie, Krissy, Rebecca, and Amanda; the father-in-law of Ariel; and the grandfather of Conner and Christian.