Read these words thoughtfully and prayerfully.
And now I will show you the most excellent way…
If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not 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 have not love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing.
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, 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 perfection comes, the imperfect 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 childish ways behind me. Now we see but a poor 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 12:31b-13:13)
These verses are some of the most beloved in the New Testament. You cannot find a better description and defense of love. Here are a few of the thoughts that hit me as I read these verses once again…
- Without love, our spiritual gifts, our faith, our service, and even our sacrifices are worthless before God. God does not measure our actions; He measures the love behind our actions. (That is why we can never accurately judge another person, because we cannot see their heart.)
- Our words, no matter how eloquent or perfectly organized, are actually irritating to others if they are not spoken in love…sort of like clanging a cymbal non-stop in someone’s ears.
- Love manifests itself in patience, kindness, forgiveness, truth, protection, trust, hope, and perseverence.
- Love is not present when I am envious of others, boasting about myself, proud of my accomplishments, rude to others, seeking my own advancement, easily angered, keeping score in my relationships, holding onto grudges, or living in sin.
- Focusing on my knowledge, spiritual gifts, or spiritual experiences as a measure of my spirituality is childish. Maturity comes when I simply focus on loving God and loving others and I stop comparing myself with others.
Regardless of whatever else we do in life, if we miss the Great Commandment–loving God with all our heart, mind, and strength and loving our neighbors as ourselves–then we have missed everything. Love is the priority. Love is the measure. Love is the goal. Love never fails.
Lord, may my thoughts, words, and actions today be reflective of Your love working in and through me.