So this is the title of the chapter we'll be starting this week at bookstudy. Sounds promising eh? Well don't get excited.
Here are some tidbits:
par. 6
Just imagine, a person without love is "a useless nobody" (1 cor. 13:2 - amplified bible) despite any works that he might perform!
Subheading: What Love Is
par. 8 "Love is Long Suffering"
Because we are imperfect creatures serving shoulder to shoulder, it is only realistic to expect from time to time,our christian brothers may irritate us and we may do the same to them. But patience and forebearance can help us cope with the minor scrapes and scratches we sustain in our dealings with others - without disrupting the peace of the congregation.
par. 10 "Love... rejoices with the truth"
If for example, a loved one has been involved in a serious sin, love for Jehovah - and the erring one - will help us to hold to God's standards instead of trying to conceal, rationalize or even lie about the wrongdoing. Granted, the truth of the situation may be hard to accept. But, having the best interests of our loved one at heart we would want them to receive and respond to an expression of God's loving discipline.
par. 11 "Love...bears all things"
That expression literally means "all things it is covering" (kingdom interlinear). Yes, a christian who is governed by love is not eager to drag into the light of day all the imperfections and shortcomings of his christian brothers. In many cases the mistakes and faults of fellow believers are minor in nature and can be covered over by the cloak of love.
par. 12 "Love...believes all things"
We are not unduly suspicious of fellow believers, questioning their every motive. Love helps us to believe the best about our brothers and to trust them.* When love moves us to express such confidence in our brothers, we bring out the best in them.
* Of course, christian love is by no means gullible. The bible exhorts us "keep your on those who cause divisions and occasions for stumbling..., and avoid them" (Romans 16:17)
par. 13 "Love...hopes all things"
Even as love is trustful, it is also hopeful. Motivated by love, we hope the best for out brothers. For example, if a brother takes a "false step before he is aware of it, " we hope that he will respond to loving efforts to readjust him. We also hold out hope that those who are weak in faith will recover. We are patient with such ones, doing what we can to help them become strong in the faith. Even if a loved one goes astray, we do not give up hope that someday he will come to his senses and return to Jehovah, like the prodigal son in Jesus' illustration
par. 14 "Love... endures all things"
Endurance enables us to stand firm in the face of disappointments or hardships. Tests of endurance do not come only from outside the congregation. At times, we may be tested from within. Because of imperfection, our brothers may on occasion disappoint us. A thoughtless remark may hurt our feelings. Perhaps a congregation matter is not handled as we think it should be. The conduct of a respected brother may be upsetting, causing us to wonder, 'How can a christian act like that?' When faced with such situation, will we withdraw from the congregation and stop serving Jehovah? Not if we have love! Yes, love prevents us from becoming so blinded by the failings of a brother that we can no longer see any good in him or in the congregation as a whole. Love enables us to remain faithful to God and supportive of the congregation regardless of what another imperfect human may say or do.