February 17, 2025
Enduring Love
By Michael Youssef, Ph.D.
The church in Corinth lost its first love for Jesus Christ. They maintained their spiritual activities but did them without love.
Many people in today’s church face the same problem. They have become so consumed by committees, rules, programs, and personal agendas that they have forgotten about love. So many Christians today have lost their vision and mission because they do not serve in love. This is the same reason Jesus rebuked the church in Ephesus, saying, “Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken the love you had at first” (Revelation 2:4).
What does agape love look like? Paul tells us: “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails” (1 Corinthians 13:4-8).
Paul’s description paints a picture of the love of Jesus Christ. He is the one against whom we are to measure ourselves. We are to love others as Christ loves us. Jesus said, “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another” (John 13:34-35).
Has your love been met by rejection? By betrayal? Has your love been met by cold indifference or by anger? Has your love been met with hatred? Has your love been met with selfishness, jealousy, and resentment? So has Christ’s love. He understands, so go to Him for strength to continue loving the unlovable, remembering the miserable state from which God called you out by His enduring love.
Prayer: God, help me to love others the way You do. Help me to never stop loving. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.
“Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever” (Psalm 118:1).
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