1 Corinthians 13:1-7, 13
If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have 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 do not have love, I am nothing. 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.
Devotion
If 1 John is the love book, then 1 Corinthians 13 is the love chapter in the Bible. Here Paul is writing to the Corinthian church about the importance and value of love. This chapter is often read at weddings. The truth is that this passage was not intended for weddings. It follows chapter 12 where Paul is writing about diversity and the importance of unity in the church. You see, you can’t have unity with diversity unless love is present. It seems that our country could use a little unity right now. When we love or value others, this allows us to experience unity in the midst of diversity.
In this chapter, Paul tells us what love is and is not. Love is patient, kind, rejoices in the truth, protects, trusts, hopes, and perseveres. Love is not jealous, arrogant, prideful, rude, selfish, easily angered, keeping score, and does not delight in evil. As you look at this list, it becomes obvious that these are the attributes of biblical love. These attributes are the evidence that love is present. On the surface, this seems like a pretty tall order. But I believe that once we experience God’s love for us, then He enables us to love (value) others the way He loves them.
America is a diverse nation. It is often called the “melting pot.” America is a land of immigrants that bring with them the unique customs and traditions of their native land. So how does such a diverse country experience unity? This can only happen when we choose to love (value) each member of our society the same. When Jesus was asked about the greatest commandment, He replied, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself” (Matthew 22:37-39).
Questions to Ponder:
Do you love (value) God above all else? Do you love (value) others as much as you love (value) yourself? What are some ways your love for God shows? What are some ways you demonstrate your love for others?
Prayer Points
- Praise God for Himself, His Word, and His Holy Spirit. Delight Yourself in Him as you sit before the King of Kings, Majesty of Heaven, the Almighty. Bow low and lay before His holy presence.
- Repent of sins or ways you have not displayed His love. Receive His mercy, grace and forgiveness. Sit in His “sea of grace”. Thank Him for His forgiveness and healing.
- Turn toward Him with confidence and ask Him to make you and His Bride an agent of love. Ask Him to empower you in His Spirit to demonstrate patience, kindness, truth. To help you to protect, trust, hope, persevere, value others.
- Ask Him to lead you out of temptation today.
Suggested Prayer
Ancient of Days, Alpha and Omega, Father of love, You loved the world so much that You gave Your only Son for us, even though we were Your enemies because of our sin. You gave it all for us so we could be with You where You are. Oh Father, Your Word tells us You love us just like You love Your Son Jesus Christ. You agape each of us! Thank You! I have received the spirit of adoption, not because of anything I have done but because of what You have done! You want me no matter what! You call me Your own and I get to talk to You directly.
I receive Your love and affections. Thank You that I don’t have to earn Your love or work at it, but by Your Spirit within me and the blood of Jesus Christ You transform me from the inside out taking me from glory to glory.
Father thank You for the greater one body of Christ. Thank You for my sister Donna Harris who spoke alongside Pastor Bob this past weekend. Bless her and our church family at Grace Community Church in the Cody area. Help all of us to live out Your Word and the encouragement that she charge that she gave to us at Oak Pointe Church:
To love You, God, and others, to love one another.
To be strong in the LORD and in His mighty power.
To humble ourselves before You in prayer.
Grant me and Your Body unity. Grant us receptive hearts that we would be known as ones that love and serve one another because we each have infinite worth in Your eyes because we have been made in Your image. I ask all of this in Jesus’ name. Amen.