And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.
In our morally corrupt world, love has become a mixed-up term with very little meaning. Today alot of us are still very confused about love. Love is the greatest of human qualities, and it is an attribute of God Himself. 1 John 4:8, "Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love." It involves unselfish service to others; it gives evidence that we care. Faith is the foundation and content of God's message; hope is the attribute and focus and love is the action.
When faith and hope are in line, we will be free to love completely because we understand how God Loved. The key phrase in today's scripture is, "but". Which means although the others are equally important and vital. However for us to freely and easily flow in our highest capacity and for the growth of our faith and hope in God is dependant mainly on "love". And not just any love, God's love (Agape) unconditional love.
The Greek word for love is agape. The word agape points to a completely self-sacrificing love, a love that lacks self-interest, self-gratification and self-preservation. Agape love is motivated primarily by the interest and welfare of others. This is the kind of love God has for you and I and as we are now in Him and He in us. We are now partakers of this rather extraordinary way of loving; thus helping in the growth of our faith and in keeping our hope flame burning to the glory of God!
Reflections:
What is stopping you from loving freely and wholeheartedly? You don't have to do this alone because the Bible assures us in John 14:26 that, "But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you."
Power verses:
Jesus 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
"And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us."--Romans 5:5
May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.---2 Corinthians 13:14
For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.--Galatians 5:6
2011 By Enyonam Gbekle. All rights reserved.
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