"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, 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."

Love is the ‘umbrella’ principle that covers all other principles. As you can see, it is an action…not an emotion. We can only receive this in our hearts through being connected to Jesus. It does not come naturally.

Ephesians 4:21

"Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving one another, just as in Christ God forgave you."

We are to forgive regardless of another’s attitude. This ability comes only through being connected to Jesus. It does not come naturally.

Matthew 7:12

"In everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets."

2 Corinthians 5:18-19

"All this is from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and give us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to Himself in Christ, not counting men’s sins against them. And He has committed to us the message of reconciliation."

Choosing not to hold someone’s sins against him is a gift we receive as we are connected with Jesus. It must come from the heart. It does not come naturally.

Matthew 7:1, 5

"Do not judge lest you be judged. … first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye."

Examining ourselves before confronting others is an ability that comes through connection with Jesus Christ. People tend to justify self. Self-confrontation or examination does not come naturally.

Lamentations 5:21

"Restore us to Thee, O Lord, that we may be restored; renew our days as of old…."

Our prayer and desire should always be for relationships to be restored. It is possible as we let our hearts be renewed by the spirit and power of our connection with Jesus.