Begin with two minutes of stillness and silence before God.

Today, we end our study on biblical love in such a perfect place: 1 Corinthians 13, the Love Chapter! This passage really speaks for itself, but I want to unpack the lessons we can take away about love. In this chapter, we see what love is and isn’t and how love is the most important thing. 1 Corinthians 13:7 says, “[Love] bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.” Love changes us, love ministers to others, and love endures forever. If that isn’t a picture of Jesus, I don’t know what is! It’s only because of our Redeemer, Jesus, that we truly love.  

This passage reminds us that among faith, hope, and love, LOVE is the greatest. But what does that mean? Aren’t faith and hope important? Of course! These three should be the pursuit of believers. According to Hebrews 11:1, “Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”  And Lamentations 3:21-23 tells us of our hope:  “But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” Love is a part of faith, and love is a part of hope! Without the Lord’s love, can we truly have faith? Without His love, where is our hope? In 1 Corinthians 13:13, Paul writes, “Now these three remain: faith, hope, and love — but the greatest of these is love.” So what does Paul mean by “the greatest of these is love”? Paul isn’t saying we must choose one of these three here on earth; He is simply reminding us that without love as our motivation, our gifts, our talents, and our service are all meaningless.  

Paul is also pointing us to the promise of eternity which we see in 1 Corinthians 13:8-12: “Love never ends. But as for prophecies, they will come to an end; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will come to an end. For we know in part, and we prophesy in part, but when the perfect comes, the partial will come to an end. 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 put aside childish things. For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I will know fully, as I am fully known.”  

When we stand in the presence of our King in heaven, our faith and hope will be made complete! We cling to hope and faith when we follow Jesus in our everyday lives here on earth, but one day we will be perfectly mature in Christ, we will see Him face-to-face, and we will “fully know.” On that day, faith and hope will have fulfilled their purpose, but love NEVER ends! Our love will only grow more and more as we worship our Heavenly Father for all eternity. So don’t stop hoping, don’t give up faith, and let love lead the way. 

Take two minutes to reflect in silence.

Reflections: 

• Read this passage again, but replace “love” with the name of Jesus, the ultimate example of love. He is love! 
• Prayer: Dear Lord, thank You for a love that will never fail! Your love will never run out and I can trust that Your heart is for me. Help me see where I can love others more and in a way that reflects You! In Jesus' name, amen.