First Corinthians 13 really isn’t a sappy wedding scripture. It’s like a monastic creed or code of chivalry that becomes an oath of commitment when someone loves the King and His kingdom. Codes, oaths, and creeds are not just words on paper. They are plumb lines for behavior. Nonjudgment is not an idea. It is an action. Thus:
Love is patient. It lets people struggle through their journey. It doesn’t demand immediate change.
Love is kind. When they live in the exact opposite way that you would, you still smile, speak softly and gently, and be a friend.
Love doesn’t envy or boast; it’s not proud or rude. Love isn’t shown through superiority or competition, nor does it make people feel bad or belittled.
Love isn’t self-seeking, so it has no personal agenda for people.
It’s not easily angered, so you’re going to have to let quite a few drops of irritation roll off your back and actually resign yourself not to bring them up to try to get closure.
And this one will be really tough, but love doesn’t keep a list of anything, especially bad things, failures, sins, or screwups. So love never says, “I told you so,” or “you got what you deserve.”
Love doesn’t rejoice in evil. So you can’t actually be happy when someone’s sin finds him or her out. You should be sad when sin wins the day and evil gets a laugh.
Love always covers sins and protects someone’s public image. So love doesn’t Facebook the frailties of people. Rather, it always trusts God to continue His work in people’s lives. It always hopes for God to get through to them and just hangs in there. Love never misses a day of prayer and always keeps the vertical relationship strong so that God can include you in helping someone find the light. - HUGH HALTER