Throughout our lifetime, we have experienced many changes and will continue to witness more adjustments, shifts and transitions. One game changer I have noticed in our modern days is the invention and use of smartphones. Smartphones have had a significant impact on our daily lives… I could describe even more ways in which smartphones have changed our lives more convenient. Despite the rapid changing society we live in, one thing that has remained constant and will never change is God’s love for each of us. The Bible states this “I will show you my love forever.” In other words, God’s love is eternal and steadfast. It does not waver. The Lord, who saves us, says, “I will show you my love forever.” Sticking together for a longer period in any relationship is challenging; however, they do not give up. They have overcome difficulties to stay in love and have built up a lasting relationship over the years.

We have finally reached the conclusion of the 40 Days of Love series. Over the past five Sunday, we have studied a well-known scripture known as the Chapter of Love, taken from 1 Corinthians 13. In this scripture, verse 7 states, “Love never stops being patient, never stops believing, never stops hoping, never gives up.” Through this sacred scripture, we can learn that God possesses these four habits of love for each of us. Jesus said, “I command you to love each other in the same way that I love you” (John 15:12). If we desire to experience a love that endures throughout our entire faith journey, we must cultivate these divine principles of love and apply them to all our relationships. This morning I invite us to explore these secrets of Christ’s everlasting love one by one and incorporate them into our spiritual journey.

The first secret of this enduring love that we need to learn is that lasting love extends grace. No relationship can thrive without grace… Why is grace essential to relationships? The Bible says in Romans 3:10 “There is no one who always does what is right, not even one.” None of us get it right a hundred percent of the time. We are all imperfect, so we need to extend grace to each other. Ephesians 4:2 advises, “Be humble and gentle with each other. Be patient with each other, making allowances for each other’s faults because of your love.” The phrase “making allowance” means that if we want a love that lasts, we must learn to make allowances for the mistakes and the faults in other people’s lives. It is not just one-time allowance but an ongoing acceptance of others’ mistakes. Of course, this can be challenging since our endurance is limited… Do you see a half-cup of water as half empty or half full? When you receive services from others, do you recognize and express gratitude for what they provide, or do you focus more on their few shortcomings or what they lack? Once again, I am emphasizing our attitude toward the errors or faults of others in our daily lives. I must admit that I tend to focus on the empty side first, both within myself and in others. When Peter asked Jesus how many times he should forgive his brother or sister who sins against him, he was commanded not to forgive just seven times, but seventy-seven times. As recipients of Christ’s steadfast love, we too are called to make countless allowances for the mistakes of others. Once again, I am reminding us that we all need God’s grace in every moment of our lives. It is the foundation of any relationship. You need Christ’s forgiveness over your failures, and I need Christ’s unwavering love for my shortcomings. Have we ever counted how many times God has shown us His unchanging grace? We cannot count the number because we have made many mistakes before the Lord. When we see each other through God’s graceful eyes and extend His grace to one another, we can experience lasting love and share this divine love with our loved ones and others. This week, let us consider who we need to show grace to. The starting point is to show grace because love never stops being patient.

Here is the second key. Lasting love does not just extend grace, it also expresses faith. The Bible says, “Love never stops believing” (1 Cor. 13:7). The NIV translation puts it as “Love always trusts.” The New Living Translation says, “Love never loses faith.” This kind of love, if we want a relationship that lasts a lifetime, involves expressing faith. Faith and love are interconnected because love is built on trust… Love and fear are opposites, and faith and love go in hand. If we are going to love somebody, we need not only to extend them grace but also to express faith. We need to say, “I believe in you. I trust you. I think you can do it.” Believing in somebody is what real love is all about. So, this week, let us think about who we need to express trust in and say, “I believe in you.”

There is a third key found in today’s main scripture. Lasting love expects the best. It has a forward-looking perspective, is optimistic, and not stuck in the past. Lasting love is hopeful, positive, and anticipates the best outcomes… People tend to live up to the expectations we have of them. We have the power to shape the people around us based on what we expect from them. Whether we have high or low expectations, people often meet those expectations. We set people up with our expectations all the time, including our children… So, my friends, who are we setting up with our expectations? Love always expects the best.

Lastly, love endures the worst. Lasting love is characterized by persistence, determination, and diligence. It refuses to give up on the relationship. The Bible states, “Love never gives up” (1 Cor. 13:7). One of the key secrets to experiencing lasting love, the kind that withstands the test of time, is simple: Do not give up… The purpose of relationships in our lives is not solely make us happy but to teach us how to grow and mature. Remarkable individuals are often ordinary people with an extraordinary amount of determination. They simply refuse to quit.

We have spent six weeks studying 1 Corinthian 13, the chapter on love in the Bible… Human love may fade out and wear out, which is why we often witness broken relationships even among those who are meant to be closest. However, Christ’s love is eternal and unwavering. It is the foundation on which lasting love is built. As I mentioned earlier, the four choices we have discussed today and reflect the exact ways in which God loves each of us. The Bible instructs us to have the same attitude as Christ Jesus. Before we can extend God’s love to others, we must first receive and internalize it ourselves. Take a moment to reflect on the immense love Jesus has shown us, how many times He has granted us grace when we did not deserve it. If we received what we truly deserved, none of us would be here right now. Consider the countless times Jesus has expressed trust and faith in us, and how He expects us to do the same for others. He always sees the best in us, hoping that we will surrender our lives entirely to Him. Moreover, Jesus has endured the worst from us, yet He has never given up on us. God simply expects us to extend others the same love He has shown us.

* I would like to acknowledge that this series of sermons, “40 Days of Love,” incorporates thoughts and materials from the sermons prepared by Rick Warren and his staff for this study.