Love is the greatest gift!
Scripture reading for July 23: 1 Corinthians 13
“Love never ends. As for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when the perfect comes, the partial will pass away. When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I gave up childish ways. For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known. So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love.” 1 Corinthians 13:8-13
As Paul wrote to correct the Corinthians and instruct them in spiritual gifts and offices, he wrote one of the most famous teachings on love that are found in literature. The Corinthians had been zealous for the gifts of the Spirit and the offices of leadership, but failed to act in love. Paul noted the fact that love never ends or becomes obsolete. This is not true of many of the other gifts. Prophecies would be fulfilled or forgotten. Those excelling in knowledge will find that their knowledge, no matter how vast, is just a drop in the ocean of God’s knowledge. Those speaking in other tongues would one day cease to be able to speak at all or the spiritual language they used would be replaced by a more perfect language.
The truth of the matter is that we all are like children growing up spiritually. We initially know only a little but eventually know that we don’t know anything! So Paul’s wise advice was to follow the more excellent way of love. (1 Corinthians 12:31) Love covers a multitude of sins. Love never fails to do what is excellent and helpful to build up. The gifts must be undergirded with love or they fail God’s purposes. Without love, God’s Word can become harsh and unfruitful. We may not understand this fully now, but when Jesus comes, it will be fully comprehended by those following Him.
Have you ever left out love from your spiritual gifts or pursuits? Can the gifts of the Spirit work effectively without love? As you read these verses from 1 Corinthians 13, what aspects of love would you ask our Lord to increase in your life?
Prayer: Loving Father, thank You for sending a river of Your amazing love in Your Gift of the Holy Spirit. Forgive me for not always allowing Your love and mercy and goodness to be my priority in doing works of service. Keep my heart focused on the flow of Your amazing love. Amen.
0 thoughts on “Love is the greatest gift!”