“So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love” (1 Corinthians 13:13 ESV).
The apostle Paul rebuked the believers in Corinth for pursuing spiritual gifts and positions within the church in order to edify themselves. He offered to teach them a “more excellent way” of life, a more worthy pursuit, namely, the way of love. He described how even the greatest expressions of spiritual gifting are “nothing” unless they are motivated by love. Not only that, but many of the spiritual gifts are temporary and will pass away, but love is eternal. Therefore, he taught them to pursue love. For love edifies others and points others to God the giver of gifts, rather than to one’s self.
Finally, Paul talked about three gifts or virtues that “abide” or remain even after the other gifts have passed away. These three are faith, hope, and love. Through faith, we receive salvation and spiritual blessings. With hope, we have confident expectation of eternal blessings. Yet as wonderful as these two virtues are, love is greater. For the Bible never says that God is faith, nor does it say that God is hope. But as the apostle John proclaimed, it does say that “God is love” (1 John 4:8). And as our Lord Jesus said, “By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another” (John 13:35).
So let us pursue love above all other things. For love is the greatest!
PRAYER: Dear Father, we love You because You first loved us. Teach us to love as You have loved us. Empower us in this by Your Spirit. In Jesus’ name, amen.