What Love Is

"Love is long-suffering." Being long-suffering means patiently putting up with others. (Colossians 3:13) Do we not need such patience? Because we are imperfect creatures serving shoulder to shoulder, it is only realistic to expect that from time to time, our Christian brothers may irritate us and we may do the same to them. But patience and forbearance can help us to cope with the minor scrapes and scratches we sustain in our dealings with others-without disrupting the peace of the congregation.

"Love is . . .kind." Kindness is shown by helpful acts and considerate words. Love moves us to look for ways to show kindness, especially toward those most in need. For instance, an older fellow believer may be lonely and in need of an encouraging visit. A single mother or a sister living in a religiously divided home may need some assistance. One who is falling ill or facing some adversity may need to bear kind words from a loyal friend. (Proverbs 12:25; 17:17) When we take the initiative to show kindness in such ways, we demonstrate the genuineness of our love. - 2 Corinthians 8:8.

"Love . . .rejoices with the truth." Another version says: "Love . . . joyfully sides with the truth." Love moves us to uphold the truth and to "speak truthfully with one another." (Zechariah 8:16) If, for example, a loved one has been involved in serious sin, love for Jehovah-and for the erring one-will help us hold to God's standards rather than trying to conceal, rationalize, or even lie about the wrong-doing. 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 him to receive and respond to an expression of God's loving discipline. (Proverbs 3:11, 12) As loving Christians, we also wish to "conduct ourselves honestly in all things." -Hebrews 13:18.

"Love . . . bears all things." That expression literally means "all things it is covering." (Kingdom Interlinear) First Peter 4:8 states: "Love covers a multitude of sins." Yes, a Christian who is governed by love is not eager to drag into the light of day all the imperfection and shortcomings of his Christian brothers. In many cases, the mistakes and faults of fellow believers are minor in nature and can be covered by the cloak of love. -Proverbs 10:12; 17:9.

Next time: Conclusion of What Love Is

Draw Close To Jehovah, 2002