From my reading in 1 Corinthians 13 in the One Year Bible New Testament.

The type of love that Paul describes in 1 Cor 13 is a love given by God, and Jesus is the perfect example. Here are 16 characteristics of love from this chapter.

1. Love infuses meaning into every aspect of life.

No matter how much success, skill or meaningful work you have, with out love you are bankrupt. Love is what makes life worthwhile.

2. Love is patient.

Love doesn’t rush. Love is willing to wait for others. Love is willing to give others the benefit of the doubt. When you get married you get to work on this one!

3. Love is kind.

Despite what your sunday school posters say kindness is not sitting in a meadow and petting a lamb. Kindness is about treating others the way that you would like to be treated. It is about looking to the interests of others above your own.

4. Love does not envy.

When you are jealous, you are being selfish. Instead of celebrating a good thing with the person, you are putting the focus back on yourself. Facebook is sometimes a struggle of me because I can see people with certain things I want and instead of being happy for them I am jealous. Love celebrates instead of envying.

5. Love does not boast.

A person with love doesn’t have to tell everyone about how great your life is. They are content serving Jesus and letting him get the credit.

6. Love is not proud.

Love doesn’t push to the front of the line or consider itself better than others. Love is humble. Love looks out for the needs of other people.

7. Love is not rude.

Love makes a point to not offend people unnecessarily. Some people make a sport out of offending people, but that is not loving.

8. Love is not easily angered.

Love gives the benefit of the doubt. Loving people give grace because they have been given grace. This makes for a much more pleasant life.

9. Love keeps no record of wrong.

Loving people don’t dredge up old hurts and hold grudges.

10. Love rejoices with the truth.

Loving people are happy when truth wins and they do not enjoy any type of evil.

11. Love protects.

Loving people protect those who can not protect themselves.

12. Love trusts.

To have love there must be an atmosphere of trust. No trust, no love. Trust is the foundation of a loving relationship.

13. Love hopes.

Loving people have hope for others. They wish the best for people.

14. Love always preservers.

Love doesn’t give up. Loving people don’t run away when it get’s hard. They are there for the long haul!

15. Love never fails.

Love will always win out in the end. When Jesus takes his followers up to heaven we will participate in this victory.

16. Love is the greatest.

Of all the qualities you can have, love is the greatest. If you do nothing else today seek to become a more loving person by God’s power !

If you like this article share it on Facebook, Twitter or subscribe by Email.