I Corinthians 13:4-13
Love is something that a child really can't do.
Contrast of love and childishness
1. Patience vs. Impatience (4a)
Patience is the ability to endure.
2. Kindness vs. Unkindness (4a)
being “grown up” in the Lord means doing things we don't expect little children to do.
3. Good-will vs. Envy (4b)
A mature person has learned to be happy about the blessings that other people have.
4. Praise vs. Boasting (4b)
Love compels us to look for those things that are praiseworthy in others.
5. Humility vs. Pride (4b)
A child is truly not able to understand that the world does not revolve around him.
6. Thoughtfulness vs. Rudeness (5a)
Mature love means being thoughtful regarding the sensitivities of others.
7. Self-sacrificing vs. Self-seeking (5a-7)
A special word, agape, is reserved for the concept of Christian love. You can only really be mature by the power of salvation in Jesus Christ.