Love Never Fails. Really?

Love never fails. That is what is written in 1 Corinthians 13:8. In the Bible New Indonesian Translation (TB), it says, “Love never ends.” Yet in the New International Version (NIV), it says, “Love never fails.” Is it true that love never fails?

A Brief Story Proving Love

A friend once told me. When he read this verse, he was motivated to prove it because he felt this verse was very interesting. He felt that everything on this earth can fail. Yet, the Bible gives a guarantee that, “Love never fails.” How could that be?

Then he tried to put this love into practice toward his mother. He felt that, since childhood, his mother had treated him unfairly. Whatever his younger sibling wanted was always given, but not what he wanted. This made him feel second-class, and he became bitter  toward his mother. But when he read this verse, he was motivated to love his mom sincerely, regardless of her response. 

Little by little, his efforts bore fruit. New habits filled with love began to form. His relationship with his mother also grew better. And in the end, even though they are now separated by distance, the two of them have a good relationship. His mother became more attentive to him. She likes to send goods and food from their hometown to the boarding house where my friend lives. And when his mother was sick, he was able to care for her with love.

Until finally, my friend came to the conclusion that love truly never fails. And God's word is also never wrong. His faith in God grew deeper, and his love became more tangibly felt by the people around him. 

Practicing a Love That Never Fails

To me, my friend’s story above is very interesting. It is quite contradictory to what is happening now. So many phenomena such as divorce, murder, and other crimes occur. 

If love truly never fails, why are there so many people who say they love each other, yet fail to build a relationship? In the end, so many families have marriages that fall apart. In fact, communication alone does not go well. 

Could it be that the love we practice today is not like the love God means in the Bible? What kind of “love” is it that never fails? Let us study it more deeply.

1. Love “Even If,” not “Because”

If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Do not even tax collectors do the same? – Matthew 5:46

Many people love others, because they feel loved. If everyone practiced this kind of love, then who would start loving first? Everyone would wait for love to be received. But no one would go first in loving. 

People who do not know God, even evil people, can love those who love them. 

But, as children of God, God wants us to love at a level far higher. A love that says, “even if he does not love me, I still choose to love him.” Not a love that is given with terms and conditions applied. For example, “I will love if... I love him, because...”

This is the agape love God teaches. This is also the love God has given us. He died for us. He loved us first, even before we knew Him (Romans 5:8).

What kind of love are we practicing toward the people around us today? A love that never fails is a love that we keep giving and doing even though that person does not or has not yet loved us.

You have heard that it was said: Eye for eye and tooth for tooth. But I tell you: Do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also. You have heard that it was said: Love your neighbor and hate your enemy. But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you. – Matthew 5:38-39, 43-44

2. The Definition of Love According to God’s Standard

From the point above, we have understood that we need to love others with His love. But in daily practice, how do we love according to God’s standard?

In Matthew 22:39 it is written, “Love your neighbor as yourself.” This is the love we need to practice. Loving others the same way we want to be loved. 

Love is patient; love is kind; it does not envy. It does not boast and is not proud. It does not act improperly and does not seek its own advantage. It is not easily angered and keeps no record of others’ wrongs. It does not rejoice in injustice, but rejoices in the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. – 1 Corinthians 13:4-7

Once, a pastor said this, “To know whether we have grown in love, replace the word ‘love’ in that verse with our own name. For example, your name is David. Say, ‘David is patient. David is humble.’ Is that true?”

What is written in 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 above is the love God wants us to practice. Doing it requires humility and self-denial. But one day, we will surely reap the fruit of that love. 

But the fruit of the Spirit is: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such things there is no law. – Galatians 5:22-23

If we choose to live led by the Holy Spirit, then we will bear the fruits of the Spirit, including love. Interestingly, this too is guaranteed by God, that, “Against such things there is no law.” This means that, unlike other laws in the world, this law will continue to stand and cannot be broken.

Love never fails. There is also no law against it. Therefore, let us be eager to practice love according to God’s standard!

3. The Source of Love That Never Fails

Practicing love continuously toward others may not be easy. Along the way, we may feel tired. Especially if the person we love has not returned or even felt our love. All the effort we make feels useless. So, how can we keep loving in the middle of a situation like this?

If we want our love never to fail, we need to remain in God’s love as well. How can we keep giving love if we are not connected to the source of that love? 

Beloved brothers and sisters, let us love one another, because love comes from God; and everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. – 1 John 4:7-8

I am the vine and you are the branches. Whoever remains in Me and I in him will bear much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing. – John 15:5

When we want to have a love that never fails, we must remain in God. Apart from God, we can do nothing. It is impossible for us to love other people with God’s love while living apart from God. 

Believe God’s word. Hold on to every one of His promises, including that love never fails. But besides that, we also need to obey, keep persevering, and consistently practice that love. 

Are you in despair facing a lifeless relationship, family that is not harmonious and full of conflict, and feel there is so much hatred within you? Maybe this is the time for you to begin making a change by loving. Love never fails. It changes you and changes the people you love. 

Let us spread God’s love together and make this world a better place. Keep going!

Spread love everywhere you go. Let no one ever come to you without leaving happier. – Mother Teresa

Reference: www.brainyquote.com/quotes/mother_teresa_133195 -  Related Articles:

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