S. 1 Corinthians 13:1-13 (NIV)
If I speak in the tongues[a] of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 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. 3 If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast,[b] but do not have love, I gain nothing.
4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
8 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. 9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part, 10 but when completeness comes, what is in part disappears. 11 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. 12 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.
13 And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.
O. Paul teaches on the topic of love. Love’s character is vividly described. Without love, what good is my faith? Without love what good is my knowledge and gifts? How can I hope without love? To be clear, this love is the divine love (Greek Agape) which is the love that Christ has for us and demonstrated it by dying for our sins and being raised for our new life.
Love’s character is what enhances my faith, my knowledge and my gifts. The Love of Christ (Paul said in 2 Cor. 5:14) is what compels us or drives us forward. When Jesus returns many of these other gifts will either not be needed or will decrease with Christ’s presence. But until then, Paul encourages the deployment of our gifts but with love in all its fully described character.
A. I too desire the love of Christ in all its character to be evident in my life - that it might truly be the compelling drive to serve ministries to others using gifts God has given me.
P. Thank you Father for your love that is embodied in the Lord Jesus. He truly exemplifies your great love. Holy Spirit fill me and guide me. May Christ’s love be the driving force in this season of ministering to others. In Jesus’ name.
