1 CORINTHIANS

Chapter 13

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STUDY:

  1-3   If I speak in tongues of mean and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.  If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing.

   At first when I read this chapter, this verse went in one ear and out the other. But I want to stop here and meditate on this for a minute. In my spiritual walk, I ask and seek the Lord for spiritual gifts. On the one missionary training my husband and I went to in Colorado, our application was partly based on our spiritual gifts.  People want to know their spiritual gifts to they know how to serve in the church. But does anyone ask if they have love? In verse 13 in the NIV it says, "Now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love." If the greatest of these is love, how come we don't focus more on love rather than faith and gifts? Do we just assume that people love? Well, what is love...?

    4-8a   Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with truth.  Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends. 

    I love my husband Joey. But there are times I could definitely be more patient with him, kind to him. There are times I am rude or arrogant. There are times I insist on my own way. There are times I am irritable and resentful. WOW- maybe I should pray for more love?? I know I pray for more faith- but if love is greater than faith, then maybe I should pray for more love. 

   8    Love never ends. As for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away.

    This verse just shows me the importance of love. All other things will pass away, but love will remain forever. Seeking spiritual gifts is important too as we read in the next chapter.

    Dear Father, I don't know if I have ever asked for love, but I am asking you now. Thank you that you made it clear how important love is. I ask that I would not overlook this and continue to pursue love. Teach me what is said in verses 4-7. Thank you for showing me something new today. 
Amen.

APPLICATION:

  •  What do you pray for regularly? Can you say that you have love? 

HIGHLIGHTED TEXT:

Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with truth.  Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends. 
{Verses 4-8a}

    QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS?