1 Corinthians 13 is the love chapter of the bible. Paul tells us how agape love acts. We can measure our growth in Christ based how well we are doing in loving others using this chapter as a measuring stick.

2 Corinthians 10:12 For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise.

All too often we do just this, compare our growth to others around us. The world teaches us to be competitive. Trying to grow in Christ by comparing ourselves among ourselves is like three men being chased by a lion. You cannot outrun the lion so your aim is to outrun the other two.

That is allowing fear to be your motivation. That is the Old Testament motive, not our New Testament motive.  Agape love, His indwelling love, is our motivation now. We need to somehow measure our growth in Christ to know when it is the indwelling love that is at work or self-effort. Having a proper understanding of 1 Corinthians 13 in respect to agape love will help us make that determination.

Comparing self to the Word takes an honest evaluation of self and a proper understanding of His word. Since I cannot speak for you in self-examination, I will try and speak to a right understanding of His Word and reveal perhaps some of myself as I have measured myself.

I will take one attribute of agape love at a time as they appear in order. The first three verses deal with what we sound like, what we are and the path we have taken. The first trait appears in 1 Corinthians 13:4 suffers long (KJV), is patient in many other versions.

We will begin here.

John 17:23 I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me.

The abiding love of God is perfect love. We are not perfect but His love is perfect as He is perfect. This is why I said at the onset of this series that this is a matter of condition of conscience. A changed heart, a changed conscience, a change in behavior, and a change in how we reflect His abiding love.

At one point I said to substitute love for will understand Romans 12:2. Can you see that substituting our will with His love perfects our motivations and choices? Motivation and choices that are based on perfect love will always lead to better results than personal will.

Do you feel the deep abiding love of God within you? If the answer is not a resounding confident yes, then you need to work on your relationship with God. More prayer, communication, more bible study, communication, more faith, communication, more obedience of faith, communication, all these things are basic communication skills in our relationship with our God.

The mature man allows the engrafted word of God (James 1:21) to grow and fill his heart, mind and soul. Loving God with all your heart, mind, and soul is rooted in the engrafted word. Like anything that grows, it must be fed and attended. Pull out the weeds of sin in the garden of your heart.

Guard your heart with integrity and your mind and soul will follow.