The 16 Facets Of Love | Part 2
By Warren David Horak
Love follows the path of most resistance.
Don’t take the easy way out, take His way…
His way always brings life.
No matter what comes your way, God's Love is always the WAY!
Love ALWAYS WINS!
Because love never fails!
1 John 4:7–8 Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God.8 He who does not love does not know God, for God is love.Watch the video below
Introduction
Love is the cornerstone of God's nature and His plan for humanity.
In this powerful teaching, we explore the 16 facets of love described in 1 Corinthians 13, unveiling the transformative power of God's love in our lives.
As we delve into these facets of love, we'll discover how pursuing love above all else can lead us to the fullness of God and answer our prayers in extraordinary ways.
The Primacy of Love
Love is not just a fluffy concept; it's a victorious force that follows the path of most resistance.
God has been emphasizing love, revealing its 16 facets and how it surpasses all other spiritual gifts. Love is the essence of who God is, and He desires for us to be perfected in love.
"Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing." (1 Corinthians 13:1-3)
The 16 Facets of Love
- Love suffers long
- Love is kind
- Love does not envy
- Love does not parade itself
- Love is not puffed up
- Love does not behave rudely
- Love does not seek its own
- Love is not provoked
- Love thinks no evil
- Love does not rejoice in iniquity
- Love rejoices in the truth
- Love bears all things
- Love believes all things
- Love hopes all things
- Love endures all things
- Love never fails
These facets of love describe the very nature of God and the character He desires to develop in us. As we pursue love, we align ourselves with God's heart and open the door to His fullness in our lives.
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The Central Nervous System of Love
At the core of these facets of love is the principle that love does not seek its own.
This selflessness is the antidote to the root of all sin - selfishness.
When we deny ourselves and embrace God's love, we begin to operate in His power and wisdom.
"Love does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things." (1 Corinthians 13:5-7)
Love: The Key to Unlocking God's Fullness
As we pursue love, we position ourselves to experience the fullness of God.
This pursuit is not about acquiring knowledge, but about being transformed by His love.
"That Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height— to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God." (Ephesians 3:17-19)
The facets of love described in 1 Corinthians 13 provide a roadmap for this transformation. As we allow God's love to permeate our thoughts, emotions, and actions, we become vessels of His love to the world around us.
Love: The Path to Answered Prayer
When we align ourselves with God's love, we position ourselves for answered prayer beyond our imagination.
"Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen." (Ephesians 3:20-21)
The power that works in us is the power of love. As we cultivate the facets of love in our lives, we tap into God's unlimited resources and see Him move in extraordinary ways.
-did you learn to love-
This is our greatest purpose and destiny
The Challenge of Walking in Love
Walking in love is not easy; it requires dying to self and embracing God's nature.
It means forgiving instantly, believing the best of others, and enduring all things. This path of love is the narrow road that Jesus spoke of, leading to eternal life.
"Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, 'Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?' And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!'" (Matthew 7:21-23)
Practicing lawlessness, in this context, means failing to walk in love.
It's possible to operate in spiritual gifts without truly knowing God or walking in His love.
Our primary focus should be on cultivating the facets of love in our lives, rather than pursuing spiritual experiences or knowledge alone.
Renewing Our Minds with Love
To walk in love, we must renew our minds.
This involves aligning our thoughts with the facets of love described in 1 Corinthians 13.
With an estimated 70,000 thoughts per day, imagine the transformation that could occur if each of these thoughts were motivated by love.
-70000 thoughts per day-
Imagine the power released if each of these 70 000 thoughts were motivated by LOVE.
"And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God." (Romans 12:2)
As we submit our thoughts to the grid of love, we allow God's nature to permeate our being, leading to a life that reflects His character and power.
Love: The Ultimate Pursuit
While knowledge and spiritual gifts have their place, love surpasses them all.
Universities and even seminaries often prioritize knowledge over love, but God's economy is different.
He values love above all else.
"And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing." (1 Corinthians 13:2)
Our pursuit should be love itself, for in doing so, we pursue God.
As we focus on cultivating the facets of love in our lives, we position ourselves to experience the fullness of God and see His power manifested in extraordinary ways.
Conclusion
The 16 facets of love described in 1 Corinthians 13 provide a blueprint for transformation into the image of Christ.
As we pursue love above all else, we align ourselves with God's heart and open the door to His fullness in our lives.
This journey of love is not easy; it requires dying to self and embracing God's nature.
However, as we cultivate these facets of love, we tap into God's unlimited resources and see Him move in extraordinary ways.
Let us commit to renewing our minds with love, submitting our thoughts and emotions to the grid of 1 Corinthians 13.
As we do, we'll find ourselves being transformed into the image of Christ, filled with the fullness of God, and experiencing answered prayer beyond our imagination.
Remember, love never fails, and as we walk in love, we become powerful instruments of God's grace in this world.
May we all strive to embody these facets of love, knowing that in doing so, we're fulfilling our ultimate purpose – to be conformed to the image of Christ and to manifest His love to a world in desperate need of it.
Let love be our highest pursuit, for in it, we find the very essence of God Himself.
FAQ on "16 Facets of Love"
The 16 facets of love described in 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 are:
- Longsuffering/Patient
- Kind
- Not Envious
- Not Boastful/Parading Itself
- Not Arrogant/Puffed Up
- Not Rude/Ill-Mannered
- Not Self-Seeking
- Not Easily Angered/Provoked
- Keeping No Record of Wrongs/Thinks No Evil
- Not Rejoicing in Unrighteousness
- Rejoicing in Truth
- Bearing All Things
- Believing All Things
- Hoping All Things
- Enduring All Things
- Unfailing/Never Ending
This passage gives a rich, multi-faceted definition of what true godly love looks like in action.
The facets of love are crucial in Christian life because:
- They reflect God's character: As God is love, these facets show us what His love looks like in action.
- They guide our behavior: These characteristics help us understand how to love others as God loves us.
- They promote spiritual growth: Striving to embody these facets helps us become more like Christ.
- They strengthen relationships: Practicing these aspects of love improves our interactions with others.
- They fulfill God's commandments: Jesus said the greatest commandments are to love God and love others.
By focusing on these facets of love, we align ourselves with God's will and become more effective in our Christian walk.
To practice the facets of love in your daily life:
- Study and meditate on 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 regularly.
- Pray for God's help to develop these characteristics in your life.
- Be mindful of your thoughts and actions, aligning them with these facets.
- Practice patience and kindness in your interactions with others.
- Choose to forgive and not hold grudges.
- Celebrate others' successes instead of being envious.
- Put others' needs before your own.
- Speak truth in love and avoid gossip or harmful speech.
- Persevere in difficult relationships, believing the best about others.
- Reflect on your behavior daily and ask for forgiveness when you fall short.
Remember, developing these facets of love is a lifelong process that requires God's grace and continuous effort on our part as we trust Him to release His love through us.
