Amazing Love

The greatest of these is love…1 Corinthians 13:12

Of all the things of which Paul wrote about in Chapter 13, these three—faith, hope, and love abide. Whatever gift God may grant us as a believer will eventually fade. But not faith, hope, and love; these three remain. While faith leads us to hope, love remains with us. It was by faith the woman of Canaan persisted with Jesus. She believed Jesus was able to heal her daughter. Her hope was that He would. To her Jesus said, O woman, great is your faith! Let it be to you as you desire. And her daughter was healed from that very hour. Matthew 15 :28. It was her love for her child that compelled her. It was His love for the woman that compelled Jesus. For this reason, the greatest of these is love.

Jesus said, But if you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them, Luke 6:32. Remember, the greatest of all charity is love. Love your enemies, do good, and lend, hoping for nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High. For He is kind to the unthankful and evil. Therefore, be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful. Luke 6:35-36.

The love of which Paul speaks he describes: Love suffers long and is kind. Love does not envy. Love does not parade itself, is not puffed up. Love never fails, 1 Corinthians 13:3-4a. For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this, You shall love your neighbor as yourself. Galatians 5:14. The one word is Love.