Be devoted to one another in brotherly love.
—Romans 12:10
Paul ends his list of the attributes of love with a snapshot of four ways it treats people.
It always protects. It never drags the mistakes of others into the open, and it refuses to be a partner in gossip.
It always trusts. It credits others with being trustworthy. It always believes the best about people and refuses to buy into rumors, innuendos, and suspicions.
It always hopes. Love remains stubbornly positive, helpful, and hopeful when others have given up on someone as hopeless.
It always perseveres. In all circumstances, under all conditions, love continues to love. It never gives up on people.
Under these four headings, love always puts the best face on the conduct of others and treats them with respect, kindness, and compassion.
He didn’t say it would be easy.