As I conclude this four-day journey of devotions focused on evil, temper, and words, I conclude with the word love. Love people. You cannot love people with a bad temper or by using ungodly words. One must depart from evil and have the love of God in their hearts. How can we say that we love God when we don’t love those we see each day? The mission at Bethlehem is to Love God and Serve People. These cannot be separated. Loving God and loving people is something that God has commanded us to do. We should always be ready to love people. I Corinthians 13:4 is our scriptural text today and reads:

“Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud.”

In this familiar love chapter, Paul states that love is the greatest. He gives the attributes of love: it is patient, kind, is not jealous, does not demand on its own, is not irritable, and keeps no record of wrong. Love never gives up. Love never loses faith. Paul gives other virtues, and that love is the greatest and wants God’s people to love at all times. He wants them to be ready to love people no matter what. Paul has grown from being a child and now understands the power of love. The question I pose today, Are you always ready to love? Are you able to love your enemies? Are you able to love those who do not love you? It is been said, and it is true, that love is stronger than hate. Keep love alive in your heart. Love every day no matter what comes your way.