1 Corinthians 13
Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. 2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body [a]to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing.
4 Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not [b]puffed up; 5 does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, [c]thinks no evil; 6 does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; 7 bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
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.
The Lord wants to remind us that above all else, TO LOVE is the greatest. Here He is talking about loving others.
The scriptures this week show us this need to love in God’s eyes is so great, that compared with other wonderful and amazing things we do or have it come out on top.
Are you so filled with the Holy Spirit that you can speak in diverse tongues? Great. There is something greater and it is to love your neighbours, and your colleagues at work.
Are you operating in the spiritual gifts God has given you by the Holy Spirit? Well done! Please love your family unconditionally, even the ones that offend you.
Are you a woman of great faith, always experiencing breakthroughs and miracles? Please love your brothers and sisters in Christ with the love of God that has been shed abroad in your heart.
Are you one with great compassion for the poor and you go to great lengths to help and support and give you last drop to them? You do well. Please add loving people to what you are doing already.
The kind of love God is referring to is one that flows with kindness – kind words, kind thoughts, kind actions, kind motives. This love does not envy others for who they are, or what they have.
This love does not show off what they have or who they are. This love is not arrogant towards others. This love is not rude nor condescending to others.
This love does not insist on their way and their way only. This love does not get angered easily when expectations are not met. This love does not wish evil on others or do evil to others. When you are walking in this love, you will not rejoice or boast in sin.
Lord help us to love to like you love, unconditionally.