By Chanhee Kim, InterHigh Mentor, Junior @ UC Berkeley

1 Corinthians 13:4-7

Think about the life of Jesus based on this passage.  Reflect on how he perfectly fits the description of love.
Looking at the paragraph before this passage, it describes someone who has great spiritual gifts, being able to perform miracles, having a complete knowledge of the Word, and sacrificing everything that he has. However Paul said that all of these things are pointless without love. Jesus was able to do all these things perfectly, performing miracles, knowing the Word, and even dying on the cross for us. However, he did all things out of love, and never for his own glory. He did all these things for our benefit only. He did not have to come down to earth to “speak in tongues”, “prophesy”, or “surrender [his] body”. But it was because of his great love for us, he wanted to come down to this sinful earth to show us his love so that we can saved. Because Jesus was able to do everything in verses 4-7, the things that he did in verses 1-3 all have meaning and purpose.

How does my idea of what it means to love and to be loved compare with the description of love in this passage?
Many times I think love is this one, singular thing, an abstract idea or a feeling, rather than something concrete. However, these verses show that love is multi-faceted and concrete. It must have all these parts in order to to be truly love. It has a certain definition and requirement in order to be truly love. But many times I find myself wishing that others loved me in this way, rather than me loving others this way. I still like to love others in a more simplified and superficial way, than to truly sacrifice myself to love others. Instead of declaring my love so readily saying “I love you!”, I should rather think and reflect on “How can I love others around me more?”

How is it possible for me to love others in this way (cf. Galatians 5:22-25)?
It is impossible for me for me to love this way on my own power. The only way I can is by depending upon God and the gift of the Spirit. In Galatians 5:25 “Since we live in the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit”. The only way I can live in the Spirit is to fan into flames the fire for God that the Spirit has given me. I need to continually do my DT, reflect upon my life and sinfulness, and continually confess and repent of my sins. I need to continually attend church, serve the people there, and be in fellowship with my fellow sisters and brothers in Christ. These small things are not as easy as they seem, yet these small things add up to big results. As I keep learning God’s Word, reflect upon my life, and rubbing my life with other believers, I will be corrected and sharpened; I will learn how to love others. Probably the best thing that has happened to me this year is living with fellow sisters from church. In such a short time I feel like I have gone through a lot with my roommates and I realized how unloving and unlovable I am. But through God’s love and mercy, we are able to forgive each other, and grow with the love that we have for each other.

In what ways have I been loved by God and his people in terms of the specific way that this passage describes love?
God gave me so many things I did not deserve at all. A comfortable home with loving parents. An education at one of the top university’s in the world. Friends that I can be myself around, and will love me no matter what. Through all these things God shows his great love for me. But the proof of his love is Jesus Christ on the cross. That he would die for me despite my wretchedness, is enough for me to know that he loves me. Because even if I were to be poor, unloved, and uneducated, the burden of all these things and my sinfulness is lifted because of the hope that was given to me because of God’s unconditional love. God’s love manifests itself through the people who love me as well. My parents who sacrifice so much so that I can get what I need and want. And this church who really demonstrated to me how a loving community of God is like. The leaders here who took me in like I was a daughter, and the relationships that I have with my peers and small group are things I cannot really describe.

By Kelly Koay, InterHigh Mentor, Senior @ UC Berkeley

How does my idea of what it means to love and to be loved compare with the description of love in this passage?

The world’s perception of love is often colored by romantic images of big white weddings, magnificent candlelit dinners, and grandiose gifts. To the world, love is an emotion characterized by giving and receiving. As a high school student and even in college, I believed that the definition of love was some unconditional emotion regardless of any negative energy occurring between two people. I also believed that to be loved by someone meant that person should give gifts to me and do favors for me when I needed help. My view on love reflected that of the world, as love is defined by materialism and obtainment of earthly pleasures. But in 1 Corinthians 13, love is much more than simply giving gifts and receiving favors from others. In fact, the world’s view on love is actually not love at all.

“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.”

Love is not based on some emotion felt between two people. It is not defined by how many gifts and how much money is spent on another person. Perhaps extravagance of gifts received can characterize some aspect of love in the giver’s willingness to not be self-seeking, but it does not define love. Our actions and reactions define love. When we love, we forgive others for the wrongs done against us and we show kindness to others even when we receive none. We do not base the value of our feelings and opinions of each other on what others can offer, but instead we deny self-seeking pleasures and exercise genuine patience and kindness.

The greatest example of love is seen in the life of Jesus Christ. His love was not measured by how people treated and reacted to him. Though some embraced him initially because of his miracles, they all rejected him, but he still sacrificed his life for us on the Cross. He sacrificed his life for ungrateful people who were focused on achieving their personal agendas. Jesus’ sacrifice is the greatest show of love, that he laid down his life for people who did not deserve such sacrifice. God’s forgiveness of us for our sins, even after we’ve freely rejected him and blatantly disobeyed him with our life choices, demonstrates the greatest kind of love. God’s love is not defined by how others treat him. If God loved as the world loved, we would not be saved and restored through our relationship with him. Instead, we would be left with our just punishment of eternity spent in hell, forever separated from God and all that is right and beautiful in the world.

Even to this day, I struggle to live my life by the biblical definition of love. As a child, I had been instilled with the notion that love is defined only by what others do for you. Love seemed to be some kind of one-way show, and even though I doubted such teachings of the world, I attempted to assimilate my lifestyle and philosophy to these teachings. However, such a life will only bring dissatisfaction, distrust, anger, envy, and unbelievable hatred towards people. If we only look to ourselves to seek love, we will never find it. Now that I have been restored in my relationship with God, my struggle to love others as God loved me has opened my eyes to my pride and selfishness.

In what ways have I been loved by God and his people in terms of the specific way that this passage describes love?

The Cross is the greatest example of God’s love for me. When I was still ignorant and disobedient, God laid down the life of His Son Jesus Christ for me so that I may restore a relationship broken and tarnished by my sin. Even when I am hopeless and foolish, filled with pride and self-pity, God shows patience by opening my eyes to my sins. God has also shown me love through the undeserved blessing of the people he has placed in my life. I think of my leaders, who endured my shallow talks regarding things of the world and self-centered action. Their endurance and ongoing kindness represents love’s qualities as patient and kind.

I also think of my peer sisters. When I reflect on all that has occurred between my freshman and senior years in college, I am always thankful for how God’s love has worked in my small group. I think back to how we were in freshman year – divided, self-seeking, and ignorant. We have all been made new in our walk with Christ, and I am so honored to be serving with these eight girls who have become such an integral part of my life. My small group sisters have seen me at my worst and still love me for who I am, despite all my blunders, angry outbursts, and frustrations. When I see myself face to face and witness the true ugliness that lies in my broken and dark heart, I am so blessed by God to be loved by these girls.

By Victor Shia, InterHigh Mentor, Senior @ UC Berkeley

Think about the life of Jesus based on this passage.  Reflect on how he perfectly fits the description of love.

Although this passage on love, 1 Corinthians 13:4-7, is usually used in weddings for romantic love, it describes the love that Jesus had and that we are called to have. When Jesus walked the earth, he was all of these things. When he was tired and wanted to rest, but was followed by a crowd, he gave up his ‘right’ to rest and fed thousands. When Jesus encountered the Samaritan women, he spoke to her in love. Even when Jesus was about to be betrayed and crucified, he did not lash out in anger or save himself, but allowed himself to be the sacrifice for our sins. When I see how Jesus loved me even though I never deserved it, it challenges me to do the same and love others regardless of my circumstances (my mood, stress levels, …).

How is it possible for me to love others in this way (cf. Galatians 5:22-25)?
It is only possible for me to love others in this way after experiencing and receiving the love of Christ, God’s perfect love, myself first. It is only then when I can let down my barriers from ambition, guilt and shame, and be loved for who I am, a broken sinner. It’s been a long and ongoing process, but after putting my significance in God and realizing that I don’t need to perform to be loved by God, then I was able to be more patient, for my time was no longer my own; selfless, for I was no longer looking out only for myself; and hopeful, because I serve an all powerful God under whom all is possible. Before receiving Christ, I was in a competition to be the best in academics, and as a result, did not have time nor did not want to help or love others. It’s only been through God’s love and grace that I have had the ability to change.