No matter what I say, what I believe, and what I do, I’m bankrupt without love.

1 CO­RIN­THI­ANS 13:3B 

Has someone hurt you? Have you been wronged? Have you done the best you know how to do and it still is not enough? 

 If you are human and walking among other people in this world, then I’m fairly certain you can answer “YES” to each of these questions. 

Many will say they are loyal friends, but who can find one who is truly reliable? 

Proverbs 20:6 

Words are easy to say, it only takes a breath to utter them. But it's much more difficult to be a reliable friend. It requires consistent communication, thoughtful awareness of feelings, and opening yourself up in vulnerable times. 
 

As Christians we know we will encounter people who dislike us, who hate us, who will insult us, who will somehow hurt us and betray us. Somehow it seems less shocking to have unbelievers who treat us wrongly. It’s life. It’s hardest for Christians when we endure rebuke, rebuffs, and anger from fellow Christians, or family or a friend. It’s hard sometimes to remember that love:

“…is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.” 1 Corinthians 13:5

Most of the time we come together and celebrate with family or friends. Yet, so often we find ourselves at odds with one another. Many times conflict arises that has nothing to do with who carves the turkey or the chicken, who sits next to whom at the table, who is late for dinner, or gets the wishbone, who did not folow you, who is not honest with you, etc. etc Conflict comes from digging up bones from past grievances. From harbored anger. From unforgiven contention sometimes decades old.From the outside environment. From resentment and most of the time even from the lies of the enemy. Sometimes we come with the best of intentions. We vow to accept another’s irritating habits, to keep peace no matter what. Then something happens and it dredges up the previous hurt feelings. 

In times like this do we give up and fight? Do we run away on the problem or run near to deal with the problem? Or we decide to let them go or throw them away? Or do we deal the issues, sit down and find the solutions! And "just" 'meet halfway'. Or merely understand one another and adjust to the needs of one another. What is our first port of call when conflict comes in our life? When trouble comes do we ‘run to the phone’ or do we ‘run to the throne’? Are we fighter or a peacemaker? That's when the GRACE of GOD comes alive. And the best time to express love is"NOW". Because we don’t know how long we will have the opportunity. Circumstances change. People die. Children grow up. We have no guarantee of tomorrow. If we want to express love, we better do it NOW. 

In heaven we will enjoy God’s family forever, but first we have some tough work to do here on earth to prepare ourselves for an eternity of loving God trains us by giving us “family responsibilities,” and the foremost of these is to practice loving each other.

Learning to love unselfishly is not an easy task. It runs counter to my self-centered nature. That’s why I am given a lifetime to learn it. Of course, God wants me to love everyone, but he is particularly concerned that I learn to love others in his family. Love is what matters most, it takes top priority. 

Love should be our top priority, primary objective, and greatest ambition. Love is not a good part of our life; it’s the most important part. The Bible says, “Let love be our greatest aim.”

Life without love is really worthless. Often we act as if relationships are something to be squeezed into our schedule. Finding time for our children or making time for friends in our lives. That gives the impression that relationships are just a part of our lives along with many other tasks. But God says relationships are what life is all about.

Relationships, not achievements or the acquisition of things, are what matters most in life. So why do we allow our relationships to get the short end of the stick? When our schedules become overloaded, we start skimming relationally, cutting back on giving the time, energy, and attention that loving relationships require. What’s most important to God is displaced by what’s urgent.

Busyness is a great enemy of relationships. We become preoccupied with making a living, doing our work, paying bills, and accomplishing goals as if these tasks are the point of life. They are not. The point of life is learning to love — God and ­people. Life minus love equals zero.

Love will last forever. Another reason God tells us to make love our top priority is that it is eternal: “These three things continue forever: faith, hope, and love. And the greatest of these is love.”

Love leaves a legacy. How we treated other ­people, not our wealth or accomplishments, is the most enduring impact we can leave on earth. As Mother Teresa said, “It’s not what we  do, but how much love we put into it that matters.” Love is the secret of a lasting heritage.

When life on earth is ending, ­people don’t surround themselves with objects. What we want around us is ­people — people we love and have relationships with.

In our final moments we all realize that relationships are what life is all about. We will be evaluated on our love. When you transfer into eternity, we will leave everything else behind. All we’re taking with us is our character. That’s why the Bible says, “The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.”

Knowing this, I suggest that when you wake up every morning, you kneel by your bed, or sit on the edge of it, and pray this: “God, whether I get anything else done today, I want to make sure that I spend time loving YOU and loving other ­people — because that’s what life is all about. I don’t want to waste this day.” Why should God give you another day if you’re going to waste it?

God wants us to be in regular, close fellowship with other believers so we can develop the skill of loving. Love cannot be learned in isolation. We have to be around ­people — irritating, imperfect, frustrating ­people. 

As we face the days ahead, I pray each wrong committed against us is quickly forgiven. Life is so very short. We show our love by not acting rudely, selfishly, or begrudgingly. Yes, I know others may act that way towards us. But we are not accountable for how others act, only ourselves. We show accountability by not keeping record of wrongs. May this be our sacrifice to a Savior who gave His all for our sin.