When we destroy old or decaying buildings to build something new, it is not because we are having a temper tantrum—we want to make improvements. We have a constructive plan in view, but if the old buildings had feelings, they would not see it that way. Have you considered that the Lord does the same thing with us? It is impossible to provoke the temper of the Lord, because love does not get provoked into an illogical explosive response. The Pharisees were the worst at attempt

Love is not… Ever feel like you are being used? The love that we see Jesus expressing in His stories is not so that He will be loved in return. Most of the time, Jesus is loving people who are in no position to give anything in return. As created beings of the Lord, there is nothing that we can give to Him that He hasn’t already created anyway. Everything we see the Lord doing in scripture is offered without an expectation of return, and usually in spite of it. He does chaste

God’s love toward us is always proper and decent. He does not give huge emotional outbursts of love, nor does He withhold it. He never dishonors; it is sin that dishonors us and seeks to deliver us from it. When Jesus exposed the Pharisees’ sin publicly, it was in response to their attempts to tell lies about Him publicly. It was proper to set the record straight so that truth be revealed. He rarely did this kind of thing, because it is usually very inappropriate. Even in our

More of what love is NOT… God’s love is not puffed up or arrogant. In other words, the Lord never belittles you. Some might say that God is arrogant toward Job (Job 38-40:2), but at that point Job has made himself equal with God and implied that he would never do what he perceives God has done. Instead, God simply makes known to Job that his understanding is vastly incomplete and enlightens him. God does not seek to humiliate Job. God does not say, “Shut up, Job, you’re dirt

Love does not boast, “show off”… Jesus does not stand over the host of heaven and say, “Look what I made him/her do!” He is not seeking to use you so that He may brag about what He can get from you. He doesn’t use you to show off His supernatural power. He certainly doesn’t use you to elevate His status above others. He created the universe, He doesn’t need any of that. On the flip side, is your love for the Lord boastful? Have you ever felt proud when the Lord answered your