God never fails to forgive. 1 Cor. 13:4-7

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Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
You can't read this passage too much. I don't know about you, but I always get excited when I know I am near 1 Corinthians 13, which I first memorized as an eighth-grader at Concordia Lutheran School in Peoria, thirty-plus years ago. It's a great reminder of God's nature, and unfortunately, mine.

Love is patient, love is kind. Too frequently, I am not.

It does not envy, it does not boast. Yes, I do.

It is not proud, it does not dishonor others. I am a United States Marine Corps veteran! And yes, I have dishonored.

It is not self-seeking or easily angered. I have been.

It keeps no record of wrongs. Sigh.

Love does not delight in evil but rejoices in the truth. OK, I am like that. But love always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. I have to admit that is a lot of always. 

Are you like me? Did you fail the love test today? Paul has written the perfect description of God here. Read the Old Testament. Read the New Testament. You will see Paul listing all characteristics of God. And you will see that the people of the Bible are just like me. What about you?

I have failed. Love never fails! God never fails. That is, God never fails to love you, to nourish you, to forgive you. God can't fail because he has ALREADY forgiven you. Did you hear the gospel in today's passage?

Are you a sinner? Love the Lord. Do you believe in Jesus? Love your neighbor.

You have been saved.


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