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“But now faith, hope, love, abide these three; but the greatest of these is love.” 1Corinthians 13:13

A diamond possesses a strength far surpassing that of any other known substance in nature, a durable gem that also has a high degree of transparency. A diamond’s fiery brilliance makes it cherished above all other gemstones by most people — in fact diamonds occupy a position of incomparable marketplace demand.

I ask you to look closely at love. Maybe you will see what Henry Drummond showed me, that it is very similar to a diamond. Love has nine “facets” — each of the elements may seem common enough, and any one of these can be practiced by anyone, any-where, in any situation or time. Yet together they are brilliant, cherished, and in a position of incomparable demand in every human life. That if continually and devotedly practiced a person will possess a strength of character that will far surpass the strengths of any other.

Facet #1, Patience — Love is patient, not in a hurry, but waits to do it’s work when the time comes. In this push button, drive thru, instantaneously gratifying world we live in, patience is generally seen with disdain. Can we be so meek and loving as to wait on someone else?

Facet #2, Kindness — Love is kind, and active. Jesus showed us how to love with simple kindnesses. Henry Drummond encourages us to “lavish love on the poor, where it is very easy, and especially upon the rich, who often need it most. But most of all lavish love upon our equals, where it is very difficult, and for whom perhaps we each do least of all.”

Facet #3, Generosity — Love is not jealous, and does not envy. We live in a highly competitive world, even among “Christian do-gooders” we find ourselves often in competition. If you look around to see what others are doing, you will likely find many doing it better than you. If you can learn from them, or better yet, collaborate with them, it is less likely you will envy them. Whatever the case, generously love them all and thank the Lord for them.

Facet #4, Humility — Love does not brag and is not arrogant. In Henry’s day he said to “put a seal upon your lips and forget what you have done,” today I see this as “super glue your lips shut and have a senior moment.” But more than that, let go of even the “self-satisfaction” of whatever love deed you have done. Let the deed be treasure stored up with God in heaven for your eternity, rather than treasure for you to revel in and count on here.

Facet #5, Courtesy — Love does not act unbecomingly. The true secret to being polite, courteous or considerate is to love. “Love in the “little things.” Have we forgotten the meaning of a “gentleman?” A man who behaves, gently, with love. That is the whole art and mystery of it.

Facet #6, Unselfishness — Love does not seek its own. In this country and progressive society we have been taught to be greatly concerned with our “rights.” However, there comes a time when we should exercise an even greater right — not to seek our rights at all. Christ teaches us that anyone who wants to be great must be the servant. It is summed up in Acts 20:35 “It is more blessed to give than to receive.”

Facet #7, Good temper — Love is not provoked. Oh this is a remarkable facet! As James Clayton put it “If religion has done nothing for your temper, then it has done nothing for your soul.” Scripture condemns ill temper over and over again; one example is the older brother of the Prodigal son. Henry Drummond speaks of bad temper as an intermittent fever or disease deep within, that an occasional bubble escapes to the surface that betrays some rottenness underneath … jealousy, anger, pride, stinginess, cruelty, self-righteousness, touchiness, sullenness, or bitterness. Willpower does not change people, time does not change people — only Jesus Christ changes people. The Spirit of Christ is the only one who can truly purify and sweeten a person. Only Christ can regenerate a person and transform them into a person of good temper — as they die to themselves and live only for Him.

Facet #8, Grace Giving — Love does not take into account a wrong suffered. “Keeping score” breeds bitterness and suspicion, and in this type of precarious environment people shrivel up. Yet if we are willing to see the bright side, think no evil and impute no ugly motive to the actions of others, this acceptance and belief of the best in them will be an encouragement and enlightening fellowship. Very simply put, forgive others and respect them.

Facet #9, Sincerity — Love does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth. Sincerely seek truth, see things as they plainly are, and then allow that sincerity to be joyful. Henry goes on to teach that this includes self-restraint which refuses to make a big deal of others faults, not exposing their weaknesses but rather that love covers their wrongs.

When the light of the Holy Spirit passes through these facets of love, it is a magnificent transparent prism — a spectrum of love reflected that is more brilliant than the rarest of diamonds, and more cherished than any worldly possession. In this study I was humbled again to recognize that my love is not even as good as a cubic zirconia’s! But I thank God as He continual changes me and stretches me to grow me into something better than before. Henry Drummond also encourages me as he says, “Let those love now who never loved before. Let those who always loved, now love the more.”