Love always

“It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.” 1 Corinthians 13:7
Here are four more things that love not only does, but ‘always’ does.
Firstly, it always protects. From the Old Testament (c.f. Ex. 22:22-23) to today, God has vowed to protect those who are vulnerable. If we love Him, we will do the same. Similarly, we will protect people’s reputations. We won’t start or spread gossip; instead we will seek to quash it so it can be dealt with in a Biblical manner.
Secondly, it always trusts. To love someone is to believe the best about them. It’s very easy to think someone has an ulterior motive. But love will give them the benefit of the doubt – and if the converse turns out to be true, it will seek to restore the person. In other words, love presumes people innocent until proven guilty.
Thirdly, it always hopes. Love never gives up on someone. No matter how badly they fall, we ought to keep showing them love and draw them back to God and to us.
Lastly, it always perseveres. Love is persistent. It isn’t half-hearted. We shouldn’t ever get tired of loving people, or of loving God. You see, when we love others, we receive a blessing too. It comes back to us – maybe not from that person, but from others and certainly from God.