The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him today and what came to my heart and mind in 1 Corinthians 13:13,
"And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love."
In chapter 12 Paul spoke of various "gifts" the members of Christ's body are given to serve one another. In concert, these gifts enable the work of the church to move forward in God's redemptive plans for mankind. Here in this chapter, Paul speaks of a most important gift given not to some, but to all the members of Christ's body, the church: the gift of love.
Paul begins this section, following his thoughts on various gifts in the previous chapter, by showing us "the most excellent way." Verse 1. That "way" is the way of love. He sums this up with the above thought, "And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love." All believers have access to all three of these gifts from God.
In another book Paul speaks of the gifts (called "fruit") given by the Holy Spirit in our lives. We read, "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control." Galatians 5:22-23. Notice the first he lists there: love.
Peter tells us to use the gifts given us to serve one another, "Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God's grace in its various forms." 1 Peter 4:10. This, of course, includes the gift of love we are to express in our lives. Paul provides some definition to this in Colossians 3:12-14, "Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity."
"And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love."
In chapter 12 Paul spoke of various "gifts" the members of Christ's body are given to serve one another. In concert, these gifts enable the work of the church to move forward in God's redemptive plans for mankind. Here in this chapter, Paul speaks of a most important gift given not to some, but to all the members of Christ's body, the church: the gift of love.
Paul begins this section, following his thoughts on various gifts in the previous chapter, by showing us "the most excellent way." Verse 1. That "way" is the way of love. He sums this up with the above thought, "And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love." All believers have access to all three of these gifts from God.
In another book Paul speaks of the gifts (called "fruit") given by the Holy Spirit in our lives. We read, "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control." Galatians 5:22-23. Notice the first he lists there: love.
Peter tells us to use the gifts given us to serve one another, "Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God's grace in its various forms." 1 Peter 4:10. This, of course, includes the gift of love we are to express in our lives. Paul provides some definition to this in Colossians 3:12-14, "Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity."
We want to make sure we do not deny the gifts God has given us. He has given them to us to express his grace through each of us in one another's lives.
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just reply and let me know.
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just reply and let me know.
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