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.

God’s love is described in many ways in this chapter. The phrase, It is not self-seeking, is very definitive in describing the nature of God’s love. It means that God’s definition of love is always putting the needs of others first instead of our own needs.

Eugene Peterson’s the Message Bible puts it this way concerning these verses on love:

If I give everything I own to the poor and even go to the stake to be burned as a martyr, but I don't love, I've gotten nowhere. So, no matter what I say, what I believe, and what I do, I'm bankrupt without love.

   Love never gives up.
   Love cares more for others than for self.
   Love doesn't want what it doesn't have.
   Love doesn't strut,
   Doesn't have a swelled head,
   Doesn't force itself on others,
   Isn't always "me first,"
   Doesn't fly off the handle,
   Doesn't keep score of the sins of others,
   Doesn't revel when others grovel,
   Takes pleasure in the flowering of truth,
   Puts up with anything,
   Trusts God always,
   Always looks for the best,
   Never looks back,
   But keeps going to the end.

Love cares more for others than for self. This is a great way to live our lives if we are to love with God’s love.

To love with this sacrificial, selfless love is a life-long pursuit and challenge that involves the daily decision to die to self and live for others. I am inspired by this definition of love to look for ways to serve others and put the needs of others before myself. There are so many ways to do this.

I am moved by these scriptures to reach out to people who have not yet responded to Jesus. There are so many people who are searching for the truth and it will only be found in a personal relationship with Jesus. To live out my faith means to not only demonstrate a servant’s heart to the people I live with and work with. It also means going out of my way to form new friendships and to look for ways to be a visible and practical expression of the love of God to people who really need Him.

Lord Jesus, thank you for loving me so completely and unconditionally. Help me to walk in the power of your Holy Spirit today so that I can love with the kind of selfless love that goes out of my way to serve others. Forgive me for the times when I have been selfish. Help me to slow down and take time to look for opportunities to express your love to others.