GOD IS TRUE LOVE

1 Corinthians 13:3-7, 13

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. And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love. 1 Corinthians 13:3-7, 13

Love is the primary characteristic that we see in the Father's gift of His Son to the world, in Christ's sacrifice of Himself for His church, and throughout scripture. We are called to love one another in the same way that Christ loved us, for love is enriching and fulfilling for the one who loves as well as for the one who is loved. The love of God and having His Spirit of love pulsing through our lives and streaming out to others is the most important ministry any one of us can be called to undertake.

The man or woman who sits at the feet of Jesus, drinking in His Word, being filled up with His love, will naturally and instinctively, love others as the overflow of Christ's love pours into those around them. Nothing we pursue in this life lasts forever. The things of this world won't last. They will dissolve, decay, or die. They are temporary.

Where can we invest our treasure to produce eternal gains? Where do our hearts find their reward and greatest joy? How do we touch eternity as mere mortals? Certainly not with the temporal trinkets that many of us spend our lives acquiring. Paul reminded the Corinthians and is reminding us today that three things last forever: faith, hope, and love. The greatest of these, the most lasting of the three, is love.

What we do to share God's love with others lasts forever. What we do to love God is everlasting. This truth about love's enduring power is glorious to experience, but not necessarily easy to practice. Loving our enemies, our persecutors, our brothers and sisters who have wronged us is difficult. Thankfully, we have the Spirit of God living within us to empower us to love.

As we love each other, even when it's incredibly challenging, the Spirit helps us invest in what is eternal. After all I say again, three things will last forever: faith, hope, and love and the greatest of these is love. I don't know about you, but I want these eternal qualities to be my life's most treasured investments; let us love one another as Christ loved us for love is of God!!!

Father, thank You for this day and the unfailing love You provide for every moment of our lives. Lord, let Your abundant blessings rain down from the floodgates of heaven over my friends and family today. Lord may the love of God stream through us so that by Your Spirit, our lives may enrich others and glorify Your name. Lord, thank You that the Holy Spirit teaches us how to love others as You do. Lord, we want to invest our lives in others who will share eternity with You. Lord thank You for this powerful hope. Lord, help us make the love we share be genuine and real now. Lord, use my friends and me to be a touch of Your love to all today.

Father, we love You. Amen.