Love: The Greatest Gift (Part 8)

Verse of the day: 1 Corinthians 13:8 Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away.

All that we have spoken of in respect to love is all that we see in our relationship with God and how He is toward us, even when we fall short, stumble, and sin against Him. He freely gives us His love, and wants us to do the same in dealing with each other. Yet, there are too many of us who forget very quickly the manner in which God loves us when we are faced with loving someone who persecutes us, offends us, and sins against us. I have seen so many, self included, who have desired to have and put into practice the supernatural gifts available to us as born again believers, yet we do not think twice about making the greatest effort in sharing the grace of love with others; especially those we deem unworthy. We deceive ourselves into thinking that just because we can teach or preach eloquently, or can quote Scripture from memory and know many things about the God, His Word, and life, or because we sacrifice here and there with our time, talents and resources, that these actions alone somehow prove that we love God. However, when we are unkind, unforgiving, and lack love for others (especially our brothers and sisters in Christ), we cannot really make this claim. 1 John 4:20 tells us, If someone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen? Loving God and loving our brethren go hand in hand. The day of the Lord’s return is drawing nearer and nearer each day. With His coming, and our departure, there will no longer be a need for us to use the supernatural gifts God bestows upon us. However, love will never end. We will continue to love God and each other, and God will continue to love us. The bottom line is that in comparing the grace of charity, or love, to the supernatural gifts of prophecy, tongues, or knowledge, we ought to seek that which is both permanent and eternal; and off all these, it is love that will transcend time. Let us seek love above all else, because when we seek love, we seek God, because His Word tells us in 1 John 4:8 that “God is love”.

He loves us so much that He died for us. Today, He extends an invitation to you to accept His free gift of salvation (Rom 6:23). Will you accept it? Anyone who calls on Jesus in repentance, confessing their sins, will receive eternal life. Do not put off calling on Him, and receive Him and His free gift of salvation today (Rom 10:13).