1 Corinthians 13:4-5

"Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful."

These verses have broad, sweeping implications for the lives of all believers. However, remembering that the larger context of this chapter is the subject of spiritual gifts helps us apply these verses in a few specific ways.

We are all equal in God’s sight, but we are not equal in each other’s sight. Though there are no more important spiritual gifts, some people are more clearly gifted or perhaps gifted in more ways than others.

We should love those who seem to be more gifted than we are. You may look at a clearly gifted individual and wish that you had his gifts. You may treat him rudely because you wish you had the gifts that he has. You are resentful, and you are failing to love. You should rejoice and give thanks that God has so gifted your brother.

We should also love those who seem to be less gifted than we are. You may be quite happy with the gifts God has given you, but you may think of other believers as inferior because of what they don’t have. Perhaps you are short tempered when dealing with people who can’t do what you do or can’t do it as quickly. Perhaps you aren’t willing to consider other people’s opinions because you think that your way is always better or that they couldn’t possibly come up with a good idea. Perhaps you are irritable because you always have to deal with what you view as other people’s incompetence. You are have an over-inflated view of yourself, and you are failing to love.