Love does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own. 1 Corinthians 13:5a
It is always seeking the highest good for the beloved. Even when the beloved is undeserving, love continues to sacrifice itself for their good. Love never fails.
“Love is not a feeling; it’s a decision. It’s not an emotion; it’s a commitment. It’s not something you fall into; it’s something you choose to stand in.” If Love were an action film, audiences would flock to theaters to see it.
When we think of love, we often think of the ways it benefits us. We feel good when we are loved, and so we seek out relationships that will make us happy. But true love is not unbecoming. It does not seek its own interest. True love is sacrificial. It gives without expecting anything in return.
This is the kind of love that Jesus showed us. He gave up his life for our sake, even though we were sinners. This is the kind of love that we are called to show others. It is a selfless act that puts the needs of others above our own. When we love like this, we imitate the perfect love of God himself.
When Jesus was walking on earth, there was something that would happen very often. It was the fact that He would be an unexpected interrupter. He would interrupt the cycle of rejection and judgement sinners would receive by loving them. He would disrupt people by loving them. He would stop at unstoppable places and speak unspeakable words of love. He would love and heal and welcome when all others had given up on the person. He always stopped for the one.
He would often interrupt the religious order.
That’s true love example. That’s what Paul is speaking in verse 5 when He says that love does not act unbecomingly, and it does not seek its own. An act of love is when it is given selflessly, with the wellbeing of others in mind. This is because love by definition is sacrifice. Love is not about taking care of only ourselves, but also caring for those around us.
Remember: Love is protective and not hurtful. It is comparable to a rose. It is beautiful and has thorns. But the thorns are there to protect the rose, not to hurt others.
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