Bible Verse
Do everything in love.
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・Verse Context
・Key Words
・References from Other Verses of the Bible
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Have you ever caught yourself mentally tallying who texted first, who last made dinner plans, or who still "owes" you a favor? That invisible scorecard we carry can turn even our dearest relationships into a game of give-and-take. It's exhausting, isn't it? Like trying to keep track of every grain of sand on a beach. But tucked away in 1 Corinthians 16:14, we find such beautiful simplicity: "Do everything in love." Not some things. Not when it's convenient. Everything. Let's talk about what happens when we dare to set down our scorecards and pick up a love that doesn't keep count.
Short Devotional
Remember playing on a seesaw as a kid? The whole point was balance - one person up, one person down. But relationships aren't seesaws. They're more like a garden where sometimes you're planting seeds, sometimes you're pulling weeds, and sometimes you're simply enjoying the flowers. The beauty isn't in perfect balance, but in the growth that happens when we stop measuring and start nurturing.
Think about how Jesus loved Peter. Even knowing Peter would deny Him three times, Jesus didn't hold back His love or start tallying Peter's mistakes. Instead, He met Peter on that beach after His resurrection and simply asked, "Do you love me?" No mention of past failures, no list of conditions - just an invitation to start fresh. What if we loved like that? What if we traded our scorecards for grace cards?
Read more about Peter in John 21:15-25
Let's Pray
Heavenly Father,
Thank You for Your presence with me right now and for Your endless love that never keeps score of my shortcomings. As I sit here, I recognize how often I've fallen into the trap of measuring and counting in my relationships - tracking who called last, who owes whom a favor, who's putting in more effort.
Lord, Your Word tells me to do everything in love, but I confess that sometimes my love comes with conditions and calculations. Help me see how this scorekeeping diminishes the beauty of the relationships You've blessed me with. Show me how to love like You do - freely, generously, without mental tallies or expectations.
Father, give me the strength to let go of past hurts where I've felt shortchanged in relationships. Replace my tendency to track and measure with a heart that overflows with Your unconditional love. Help me release the burden of keeping score and embrace the freedom of loving without strings attached.
Thank You for the people You've placed in my life. Help me appreciate them for who they are rather than what they do for me. When I'm tempted to pull out that mental scorecard, remind me of Your grace that gives without counting the cost.
Transform my relationships into spaces where Your love flows freely. Give me wisdom to build bridges instead of spreadsheets, to offer grace instead of grades. Let my heart beat in rhythm with Yours as I learn to love more like You.
In Jesus' name,
Amen
Journaling Prompts
Describe a time when someone loved you unconditionally without keeping track of what you owed them. How did that impact you?
Which relationship in your life currently feels most burdened by scorekeeping? What's one step you could take to release that burden?
What fears come up when you think about loving others without expecting anything in return?
You know that feeling when you finally set down a heavy backpack you've been carrying all day? That's what it feels like to put down the scorecard. Sure, it might feel strange at first - like something's missing. But in that space where counting used to be, something beautiful starts to grow. Real connection. True freedom. The kind of love that doesn't need to keep track because it's too busy being real. This week, let's be brave enough to love without the math. To forgive without the formula. To trust that when we do everything in love, the numbers take care of themselves.
Until next time,
May the Lord Bless you and keep you;
May He make His face shine upon you;
And be gracious to you and give you peace
God Bless!
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