Bible Study 1-6-13

“Reduce me to love” (part 2)Love is:

A.  Patient – long suffering – extremely patient
1 Thessalonians 5:14  (NIV1984)
“ And we urge you, brothers, warn those who are idle, encourage the timid, help the weak, be patient with everyone.”
Galatians 5:22-23
“22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.”
*Am I patient?

B.  Kind
When you’re hurt by someone you love, love them back.
Proverbs 25:21-22
The Message (MSG)
“If you see your enemy hungry, go buy him lunch;  if he’s thirsty, bring him a drink.  Your generosity will surprise him with goodness, and God will look after you.”
*Am I kind?

C.  Does not envy
Envy is discontentment.
Proverbs 14:30 (NIV1984)
A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones.
*Do I envy?

D.  Does not boast – brag
James 3:5 (NIV1984)
“Likewise the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark.”
*Do I brag?

E.  Not proud – not arrogant
Romans 12:16  (AMP)
“Live in harmony with one another; do not be haughty (snobbish, high-minded, exclusive), but readily adjust yourself to [people, things] and give yourselves to humble tasks. Never overestimate yourself or be wise in your own conceits.”
*Am I proud?

“Am I a loving person?  How is my relationship with God?”