It is love itself-not loving behavior, or even the wish or…
““It is love itself-not loving behavior, or even the wish or intent to love-that has the power to "always protect, always trust, always hope, put up with anything, and never quit" (1 Corinthians 13:7-8, PAR). Merely trying to act lovingly will lead to despair and to the defeat of love. It will make us angry and hopeless. But taking love itself-God's kind of love-into the depths of our being through the way of spiritual formation will, by contrast, enable us to act lovingly to an extent that will he surprising even to us at first. And this love will then become a constant source of joy and refreshment ment to us and others. Indeed it will, according to the promise, be "a spring of water gushing up to eternal life" (John 4:14, PAR), not an additional burden to carry through life, as the attempt to act lovingly surely would be.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Divine love, not merely loving actions, provides enduring strength, hope, and joy; attempting love without divine grounding leads to despair.
In simple terms: God’s love sustains; mere effort fails.
Key Takeaway
Cultivate deep, spiritual love.
Themes
spirituality
divine love
transformation
hope
faith
Mood
hopeful
reflective
inspirational
Type
Eternal life:1
Habits:0
Love:1
Loving:0
Spiritual formation:1
Transformation:1
Defeat Love:0
Loving Behavior:0
Intent Love:0
Act Lovingly:1
When to use this quote
- prayer
- mindfulness
- community service
- personal growth
Key Concepts
theology
inner renewal
selfless action
Questions to Reflect On
- How does divine love differ from human effort?
- What practices deepen spiritual love?
A Different Perspective
May conflict with secular perspectives.