Love is a difficult word at times.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love…

Galatians 5:22a

Some time ago, I was asked to shoot and edit the stories of two young ladies. One of those girls was Abby. I listened as she described how she redirected her own sense of failure into a real (irrational) hatred for her mother. But the story didn’t end there.

Abby’s hatred was transformed into what she called an “incredible deep, deep love. And it wasn’t my love because I couldn’t give it to her. It was love from the Father.”

When was the last time you read or heard someone read 1 Corinthians 13? This beautifully written, well-known passage is often presented at weddings or other special occasions intended to describe love, but while there may be applicable in such events, the concept Paul is presenting goes so much deeper than sentimentality or the feelings of a moment.

Paul is describing a supernatural love that is the greatest fruit of a Spirit-filled life to a group of people who were preoccupied with the visible supernatural gifts. 1 Corinthians 13 was written to correct their erroneous view.

Before we consider those famous words, would you describe yourself as loving? How would you convince someone else?