Love Is
- Ivor Anthony Hall
- Oct 25
- 5 min read
Text: 1 Corinthians 13:1–13 Theme: Living the Word of God through the Power of Love
I. Introduction — A World Saturated with Hate
We live in a time when hate has multiplied. Hate is celebrated, our differences are exaggerated, and division is amplified. Skin tone has become an obsession, discord a daily companion, and anger a cultural habit. In this environment, love is not just fading — it is being eradicated.
According to the U.S. Department of Justice, there were 11,679 hate crime incidents in 2024 — and those are only the ones reported. Behind every statistic are wounds that bleed unseen. Some hurts don’t make the news, but they live in hearts, homes, and communities.
Over half of these crimes were motivated by race or ethnicity. Yet, Scripture reminds us that God made one race — humanity. He formed man from the dust of the ground and woman from his rib (Genesis 2:7, 22). We are one creation, one people, designed to reflect the glory of one Creator.
But hate is not limited to the streets — it creeps into homes, communities, and even the Church of God. Dr. William Henard of Asbury Theological Seminary wrote,
“Culture creates conflict when the culture of the church becomes significantly different from the culture of the community… when the neighborhood begins to change, the church must decide if it will embrace the new culture or reject it. Regardless of the decision, conflict results.”
Conflict is not new. It began in the Garden when man blamed woman and woman blamed the serpent (Genesis 3:8–13). It deepened when Cain rose up against Abel in jealousy (Genesis 4:8).
And in the New Testament, Paul faced the same spirit of division in the church at Corinth. “Each one of you says, ‘I am of Paul,’ or ‘I am of Apollos,’ or ‘I am of Cephas,’ or ‘I am of Christ.’ Has Christ been divided?” (1 Corinthians 1:12–13).
Today, we still divide ourselves by denomination, doctrine, color, culture, class, and even by which preacher we follow. Paul’s call was clear: unity through Christ alone.
“For I determined to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and Him crucified… that your faith should not rest on the wisdom of men, but on the power of God.” (1 Corinthians 2:2,5)
God’s Word remains our foundation.
Not the word of hate, but the Word of hope.
Not the word of pride, but the Word of promise.
Not the word of man, but the Word made flesh — Jesus Christ.
Some words divide, but the Word unites.
II. The Definition — What Love Is (and Is Not)
A. Love Is Not a Feeling — It’s a Choice
The Greek word agape means selfless, sacrificial love — the kind of love that acts.
“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son…” (John 3:16)
To love is to give. To love is to feel another’s pain, to rejoice in their joy, to move toward their need. Love acts; love moves. Research confirms what Scripture already knew — doing good for others brings peace to our minds and healing to our hearts. Love is both medicine and mission. Love forgives. Forgiveness is not weakness — it’s strength under the control of grace. It frees the heart from resentment’s prison.
“I said, ‘I will confess my transgressions to the Lord,’ and You forgave the guilt of my sin.” (Psalm 32:5).
Love endures. Endurance is not comfort; it’s commitment. We don’t “endure” good times — we enjoy them. We endure trials, arguments, sleepless nights, and heartaches because love holds us steady.
B. Love in Action (1 Corinthians 13:4–7)
Love is patient — it tolerates others when impatience tempts us. Love is kind — it gives more than it receives. Love does not envy — it celebrates others’ blessings without jealousy. Love does not boast — it lifts others up rather than puffing itself up. Love is not proud — humility is its heartbeat. Love keeps no record of wrongs. Love doesn’t keep receipts; it cancels debts.
“He will cast all their sins into the depths of the sea.” (Micah 7:19)
Love rejoices in truth, not deception. Deceit destroys trust, but truth nurtures love.
“You shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” (John 8:32)
Love protects, trusts, hopes, and perseveres. Where hate tears down, love builds up. Where hate takes life, love gives life.
C. Love in Contrast to Hate
III. The Challenge — Love as the True Measure of Faith
Paul reminds us that even the most powerful gifts — eloquence, prophecy, generosity — mean nothing without love (1 Corinthians 13:1–3).
Faith without love is empty. Service without love is self-serving. Preaching without love is just noise.
“He who does not love does not know God, for God is love.” (1 John 4:8)
Love is the spiritual DNA of the believer — the native language of heaven. If God is love, His children must sound like Him, act like Him, and love like Him.
IV. The Invitation — Living Love in a Hateful World
Love is not weakness — it is divine power restrained by mercy.
Love breaks barriers that hate builds. Love is the universal language every heart can understand when words fail. The world doesn’t need more arguments; it needs more love. Your family doesn’t need more criticism; it needs more compassion. The church doesn’t need more titles; it needs more tenderness.
Let your life become the living sermon of love:
When others curse, you bless.
When others judge, you forgive.
When others hate, you love anyway.
“And now these three remain: faith, hope, and love. But the greatest of these is love.” (1 Corinthians 13:13)
V. Reflection and Appeal
Question 1: Am I reflecting the love of God in how I treat those who disagree with or hurt me?
Question 2: What habits, attitudes, or relationships in my life need the transforming touch of God’s love?
Question 3: How can I intentionally live out love this week — in my family, workplace, and church community?
The Love That Never Fails
Love is not what we say when it’s easy; it’s what we live when it’s hard. Let love be your sermon, your song, and your standard.
Live like Jesus. Love like Jesus.
Because love — true, biblical love — never fails.
Heavenly Father, thank You for showing us what true love looks like through Your Son, Jesus Christ. In a world filled with hate, anger, and division, help us to become living examples of Your love — love that forgives, heals, and restores. When we are tempted to respond in bitterness, remind us to respond in grace. When we are surrounded by darkness, help us shine with the light of compassion. When others choose hate, teach us to choose love — not because it’s easy, but because You first loved us. Lord, purify our hearts. Replace pride with humility, resentment with mercy, and fear with faith. Fill us with the power of Your Spirit so that every thought, word, and action reflects Your heart. Let our homes, our churches, and our communities become sanctuaries of love — places where people can see Christ through the way we live and serve. And as we go forward, help us to remember that faith may move mountains, hope may inspire dreams, but love — Your love — never fails.
In Jesus’ name we pray,
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