The Greek word for "endure" is "hupomeno" meaning "to stay under, to remain, to undergo, i.e. bear trials, to have fortitude, to persevere, to abide, to take patiently, to suffer." This love that "endures all things" was most excellently role modeled by our Savior, Jesus Christ throughout His pilgrimage on earth.
Oh the love that drew salvation's plan,
Oh the love that brought it down to man,
Oh the mighty gulf that God did span,
At Calvary.
The love that so richly dwelt in Christ our Savior was not a fluffy, flaky, wimpy love that melted like chocolate ice cream at the first sign of trials and temptations. We would be still in our sins if His love was not enduring enough to submit to His Father's will and accomplish His death upon the cross.
Men, the same love that enabled Christ to endure the cross is the same love that has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit to enable us to keep loving on and on, no matter what may try to extinguish it (Romans 5:5).
No matter how big the crowds may be in the church, no matter how attractive the sermons, no matter how great the offerings, no matter how big the outreach programs, if we do not have the love that is enduring enough to keep our marriage and family together, then it is all false and a sham. As Jesus said, it's hypocritical! He said to the scribes and Pharisees in Matthew 23:27, "Hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men's bones, and of all uncleanness."
We desperately need a revival of the love that endures all things. When the crowds come to repentance, then we are talking about Biblical revival. Crowds are not usually attracted to repentance. It takes a sovereign move of God for this to happen.
Be encouraged.
Colin Campbell