"Let all your things be done with charity." I Corinthians 16:14
I found this verse rather challenging. If we really did everything out of love toward others and toward God we would not do things for selfish reasons. Charity is selfless, kind, not puffed up, behaving appropriately, and rejoicing in truth. It hopes, endures, and is not easily angered. If we did as this verse in I Corinthians commands us to do, we would treat our families differently and our friends and neighbors with compassion. Imagine how differently we would treat the people who hurt us or the children we discipline and train. How would it effect our treatment toward our spouse or our co-workers...employers and employees? If we did everything out of love, it would not be for our benefit, but theirs. We would not be offended, because it was for their sake, not our own.
LORD, teach us to love as you love. You love enough to correct and chasten, enough to put up with and yet mold us to be like yourself. You love us enough to forgive even when we hurt you over and over again. Father, thank you for loving us like this. Help me to do the same with all who cross my path and with each daily activity. Let my actions, thoughts, and words overflow with You.
