In context, 1 Corinthians 13 is not really about romantic love. The passage can only be properly understood when we read it in light of what came before it and what comes after it. Both chapters 12 and 14 deal with the proper role and use of spiritual gifts, and the chapter between them reminds us of the big picture: Love! The spiritual gifts God gives to Christians are to be exercised in love, Paul shows us what that love actually looks like.
He says Love is patient, kind, neither envy, nor boasting. It is not self-seeking but self-denying. Biblical love requires something of us. Actually, it demands our all—for true love is the way of the cross. Dying to self means that we keep no record of wrongs; it means that we forgive until we lose count, for this is how Jesus deals with us. We are recipients of an astounding love, and it is God Himself who empowers us to then pour out this love to others as we submit to the leading of the Holy Spirit.
We find it easy to tell someone that you we them, but love is only truly expressed when you die to yourself. Can you die to your opinions? Can you die to your possessions? Can you die to your feelings? That determines true love for another.
Today, I tell you that love has no expiration date. Men and women who love Jesus will love one another for eternity. Paul wrote, “And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love”. Why is love the greatest? Because in God’s presence, there will be no need for faith; we will see our Saviour face to face. Likewise, there will be no need of hope, for all our hopes will have been realized in the second coming of Christ. But love will echo on into eternity. Love will be given and received, and it will grow for ages and ages to come. God has given us the church and community so we can start practicing this eternal love. So eagerly desire this greatest gift called love. And let’s ask the Lord to work in our hearts to bring this precious fruit to bear so that it is the underlying motivation for everything we do.
“And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love” (1 Corinthians 13:13).
Let’s Pray
Yahweh, I see that love truly is your greatest gift. Father, work this gift in me by the Holy Spirit that I may obey Your will, bless others, and be blessed myself with the joy and peace that your love brings. I pray in this in Christ’s name. Amen.
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