Conculsion of What Love Is

"Love . . . believes all things." Moffatt's translation says that love is "always eager to believe the best." We are not unduly suspicious of fellow believers, questioning their every motive. Love helps us "to believe the best" about out brothers and to trust them. Note an example in Paul's letter to Philemon. Paul was writing in order to encourage Philemon to welcome kindly the return of the runaway slave Onesimus, who had become a Christian. Instead of trying to coerce Philemon, Paul made an appeal based on love. He expressed confidence that Philemon would do the right thing, saying: "Trusting in your compliance, I am writing you, knowing you will even do more than the things I say." (Verse 21) When love moves us to express such confidence in our brothers, we bring out the best in them.

"Love . . .hopes all things." Even as love is trustful, It is also hopeful. Motivated by love, we hope the best for our 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. (Galatians 6:1) 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 faith. (Romans 15:1; Thessalonians 5:14) 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. -Luke15:17, 18.

"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. (Proverbs 12:18) 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 situations, 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. -Psalm 119:165.

Next time: What Love Is Not

Draw Close to Jehovah, 2002