The Greatest of These is Love
Daily Reading: Leviticus 11, Psalm 101, 1 Corinthians 13, Proverbs 11
If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when completeness comes, what is in part disappears. When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me. For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.
And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.
1 Corinthians 13
There is a reason that 1 Corinthians 13 is one of the most quoted chapters in the entire Bible.
It contains so much wisdom and such beautiful imagery.
When I was reading this chapter today I couldn’t help but ask myself, “How much different would our world look today if Christians really believed this?”
How much different would things be if every Christian truly believed that everything else in our Christian faith was worthless without love?
How differently would we all show up in the world if we embraced that it didn’t matter how much we donated, how many small groups we led, how many mission trips we went on, how much time we spent in worship, how much we read our Bible, how much time we spent with other believes, or how many other “good deeds” we did; if we don’t have love?
There is a reason that Jesus said the greatest two commandments were to love God and love others.
What if we all sought to truly live this out?
Unfortunately when I jump on social media, turn on the news, or listen to a podcast, I am frequently confronted with the opposite.
We live in a broken and fallen world.
As followers of Jesus, we should be the ones that bring people together through the power of love. We should be the ones giving undeserved grace, because we first received it ourselves.
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
It would be wise for every Christian to ask God to show them their own heart through this lens. We should all prayerfully ask:
“How am I doing being patient and kind? Am I always remaining hopeful, persevering, protecting, trusting, and seeking truth? Are there times when I am becoming prone to anger, pride, or envy? Am I holding on too tightly to wrongs done against me?”
I am sure we can all point to a handful of these where we could use God working on our hearts!
It is important that we don’t just stop there. It is also critical that we ask ourselves what is causing us to stray away from a heart filled with love?
Are there voices we are listening to that are focused on sewing division? Are there influencers we listen to whose main tactic is stirring up anger or fear? What else might be pulling me away from showing up in the world with the heart posture that God has called me to?
God wants an army of Christians out there in the world bridging divides with love.
So many people are hurting.
Jesus is there waiting.
It all begins with love.
“And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.”
Daily Reflection & Dialogue
When I allow God to show me the state of my own heart, where do I need the most healing?
