God is the definition of Perfect Love.
1 Corinthians 13:4-8 (NIV)
"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails."
If anyone in this universe truly typifies Perfect Love, it's truly our wonderful God. Many of the characteristics of Perfect Love are listed for us in 1 Corinthians 13. Going through this list,sometimes it seems the common view of God has been the exact opposite of what the Bible says He is like, being Perfect Love.
We may have seen Him as impatient, yet 1 Co. 13 says He is patient with us, bearing ill-treatment from us and never giving up on us.
We may have seen Him as harsh, yet 1 Co. 13 says He is kind and gentle with us, with a kindness that melts away our own harshness.
We may have seen Him as pushy, even rude. Yet 1 Co. 13 says He does not force Himself on me or others; He leaves us free.
We may have seen Him as using us as pawns for His own ends, treating us as expendable tools to bring Him "glory", since it's "all about Him". Yet 1 Co. 13 says He is not self-seeking, pursuing selfish advantage, or demanding His own way; He cares more for others than Himself.
We may have seen Him as easily provoked, irritable, exasperated with us, and quick to take offense. Yet 1 Co. 13 says He is not touchy or quick to fly off the handle but instead calm and longsuffering.
We may have seen Him as keeping a record of sins we committed. Yet 1 Co. 13 says He takes no account of the evil done to Him and pays no attention to a suffered wrong.
We may have seen Him as not putting up with our poor behavior, willing to give up on us if we didn't perform well. Yet 1 Co. 13 says He puts up with anything, bears up under even our poor performance, is always supportive, never gives up on us, and is loyal to us no matter what the cost.
We may have seen Him as looking for the worst in us, constantly noticing our faults and being disappointed in us. Yet 1 Co. 13 says He is ever looking for and assuming the best about us, with unfading hope for us no matter what the circumstances.
We may have seen Him as someone whose love for us could run out if we messed up too much. Yet 1 Co. 13 says His love endures everything without weakening, can outlast anything, always perseveres, and never looks back but keeps going to the end. His is a love that will never fade or come to and end. It's the one thing that still stands when everything else has fallen. His love for us will last forever!
A Thought: He is so much kinder, gentler, more loving and more beautiful than we could ever imagine!