Love's Motive

The youth staff women are currently going through Jerry Bridges book, "The Discipline of Grace." I am thoroughly enjoying doing this study on Wednesday nights. I wanted to share an excerpt from chapter two. It's so relevant this Valentine's weekend.

In the chapter, Bridges states I Corinthians 13:4-5 as action statements. It is so convicting to ask myself what is my true motive.

• I am patient with you because I love you and want to forgive you.
• I am kind to you because I love you and want to help you.
• I do not envy your possessions or your gifts because I love you and want you to have the best.
• I do not boast about my attainments because I love you and want to hear about yours.
• I am not proud because I love you and want to esteem you before myself.
• I am not rude because I love you and care about your feelings.
• I am not self-seeking because I love you and want to meet your needs.
• I am not easily angered by you because I love you and want to overlook your offenses.
• I do not keep a record of your wrongs because I love you, and "love covers a multitude of sins."

Taken from "The Discipline of Grace" by Jerry Bridges (p. 39)