This quote was part of my devotional reading this morning, and it made me realize how difficult it is to be truly loving. We cannot do it unless God’s Spirit is within us. It reminds me of the love verses of 1 Corinthians, Chapter 13.
“The Spirit of Love must work the works, and speak the tones of Love. It cannot exist and give no sign, or a false sign. It cannot be a spirit of Love, and mantle into irritable and selfish impatience. It cannot be a Spirit of Love, and at the same time make self the prominent object. It cannot rejoice to lend itself to the happiness of others, and at the same time be seeing its own. It cannot be generous, and envious. It cannot be sympathizing, and unseemly; self-forgetful, and vain-glorious. It cannot delight in the rectitude and purity of other hearts, as the spiritual elements of their peace, and unnecessarily suspect them.
J. H. Thom
Lutheran Ladies Connection 