1 Corinthians 13: 1-7
If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not 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 have not love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to flames, but have not love, I gain nothing.
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, 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.
A Thought
God has created each believer to become a disciple (follower) of Jesus Christ and also to help make disciples through the forgiveness of all sins. In chapter 12, we learned that we are all given different gifts of ministry by the Holy Spirit to work together for the good of the body of Christ. Today, we learn that for this to be possible, we must work together in the spirit of love. Without love nothing will operate correctly. We are told what love is: patient, kind, rejoices in the truth, and always protects, always trusts, always hopes, and always perseveres. We are also told what love is not: does not envy, not boastful, not proud, not rude, not self-seeking, not easily angered, and keeps no record of wrongs. Now, I can see why we are not having a great harvest of new believers: we need true love for all people and to use the gifts God has given by the Holy Spirit to be the body of Christ, the church, to make disciples.
Our Prayer
Father thank you that you are love. Help us to remember what love should look like and seek a greater love for you and for others. Encourage each of us to use the power of the Holy Spirit to do our part of ministry for you and the church. We want the world to be able see your love for them because of our love for you and our love for all of the world. We ask in Jesus’ name. Amen.
