阅读经文 

《哥林多前书》13章通常被称为“爱的篇章”，人们在婚礼中常常会诵读它。这章经文列出很多关于爱的特质。我们就此看到“爱是恒久忍耐，又有恩慈；爱是不嫉妒，不自夸，爱是不张狂，不作害羞的事，不求自己的益处，不轻易发怒，爱也不计算人的恶，不喜欢不义，只喜欢真理；还有，爱是凡事包容，凡事相信，凡事盼望，凡事忍耐。爱是永不止息。”（参林前 13:4-8）

然而，如果我坦白地说，我必须承认我往往在这些方面会失败。我发觉自己做不到保罗所说的这些在爱里应做的事——却又做了在爱里永不应做的事。值得我们注意的是，在《罗马书》七章19节，保罗承认他自己也有同样的问题。

我们总会为自己的失败找借口。我们常说“我们毕竟是人嘛。”或者说：“如果保罗也会失败，我对自己又能有什么苛求呢？”然而比找借口更好的做法，就是求神赦免我们的失败，又知道“靠着我们的主耶稣基督就能脱离困境了！”（参罗 7:25）并且我们可以为此感谢神。

我们需要怀着敞开的心灵，面对打开的《圣经》，恳求神来改变我们。当我们习惯于常常如此行，我们便会惊异地发现，神藉着祂的话语和祂的灵，在我们的生命中培育出更多从祂而来的爱。

First Corinthians 13 is often called "the love chapter." It is commonly read at weddings. It contains a list of the many characteristics of love. Here we learn that love is patient and kind; it does not envy or boast; it is not proud, rude, self-seeking, or easily angered; nor does it keep a record of wrongs. "Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth." Further, it always protects, trusts, hopes, and perseveres. "Love never fails"

However, if I am honest, I have to admit that I often fail. I fail to do the things that Paul says love does—and the things that love never does, these are the things I find myself doing. Interestingly, in Romans 7:19, Paul confesses to having that same problem.

It is common to make excuses for our failures. We say things like "I'm only human." Or "If Paul fails, what can I expect of myself?" But it is far better to seek God's forgiveness for our failures and to recognize, with thanks, that God "delivers [us] through Christ Jesus our Lord!" (Romans 7:25).

With our hearts and our Bibles open, we need to ask God to change us. And as we make this our regular practice, we will be amazed to see that through his Word and Spirit, God produces ever greater quantities of his love in our lives.