The Relationship Question - Better Decisions, Fewer Regrets - Part 6
Q#1 - The Integrity Question: Am I being honest with myself … really?
Q#2 - The Legacy Question: What story do I want to tell?
Q#3 - The Conscience Question: Is there a tension that deserves my attention?
Q#4 - The Maturity Question: What is the wise thing for me to do?
“What’s in it for me?”
Jesus flips that script entirely.
“34I give you a new command: Love one another. Just as I have loved you, you are also to love one another. 35By this everyone will know that you are My disciples, if you love one another.” John 13:34-35 (CSB)
Q#5 - The Relationship Question: “What does love require of me?”
Jesus followers demonstrate their devotion to God by putting the person next to them in front of them.
“1If I speak human or angelic tongues but do not have love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. 2If I have the gift of prophecy and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith so that I can move mountains but do not have love, I am nothing. 3And if I give away all my possessions, and if I give over my body in order to boast but do not have love, I gain nothing.” 1 Corinthians 13:1-3 (CSB)
Anything is worth doing if it’s done with love, and nothing’s worth doing if it comes at love's cost.
“4Love is patient, love is kind. Love does not envy, is not boastful, is not arrogant, 5is not rude, is not self-seeking, is not irritable, and does not keep a record of wrongs. 6Love finds no joy in unrighteousness but rejoices in the truth. 7It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.” 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 (CSB)
If you want to know the extent of your love for God, look at how well you love people.
What does love require of me?
#1 - Patience
“Love is patient … ” 1 Corinthians 13:4a (CSB)
- Patience stretches love beyond convenience.
- Being patient with people is more bearable when we understand that everyone is a work in progress.
#2 - Positivity
“ … love is kind. Love does not envy, is not boastful, is not arrogant … ” 1 Corinthians 13:4b (CSB)
- Build up, rather than tear down.
- Assume the best, rather than the worst.
- Draw people in, rather than push them away.
#3 - Peace
“ … is not rude, is not self-seeking, is not irritable, and does not keep a record of wrongs.” 1 Corinthians 13:5 (CSB)
- Love works to protect the relationship.
- Can you lay down your need to be right to pursue peace?
#4 - Principle
“Love finds no joy in unrighteousness but rejoices in the truth.” 1 Corinthians 13:6 (CSB)
- If we really love people, we won’t let them get it wrong for very long.
#5 - Perseverance
“8It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. 8Love never ends.” 1 Corinthians 13:7-8a (CSB)
- Persevering love doesn’t retreat—it leans in with grit, holds the line, and stands strong when the going gets tough.
Jesus didn’t love halfway. Jesus loved all the way to the cross.