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 NIV
Love is the primary characteristic that we see in the Father's gift of His Son to the world, and 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.
Love of God and 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 be those who, naturally and instinctively, love others as the overflow of Christ's love pours into those around them.
Few things we pursue in life last 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 the temporal trinkets that many of us spend our lives to acquire.
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 friend and family today. Lord may the love of God stream through us so that by Your Spirit, our lives may enrich the lives of 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 to make the future love we will share become real now. Lord use my friend and I to be touch of Your love to all today. Be a blessing. Love ya.
Father we love You amen.!
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