If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do 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 mountain, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoice with the truth. It always protects, always trust, always hopes, always preservers.
Love never fails. But when there are prophecies, they will cease, where there are tongues, they will be stilled, where there is knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part, but when completeness comes, what is in part disappears. When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me. For now we see only reflection as in a mirror, then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. And now these three remain; faith, hope, and love. But the greatest of these is love. 1 Corinthians 13:1-13
The Apostle Paul wrote this very practical book to address the problems of the tumultuous church in Corinth, and to give instructions on marriages, disputes, immorality, public worship and lawsuits. These practical lessons are appropriate words of wisdom for Christians still today. I choose this chapter for Valentine’s Day because it speaks to me on the kind of love Christ has for us. The very name Jesus use to address you and me is beloved, it tell us us how dearly that He loves us. Jesus showed you and me the full extent of his love by enduring humiliation, torture, and even death for us on a cross. No greater love that this is possible, or even conceivable. We may have tucked into our memory many experiences of his unparalleled love. Jesus wants us to dwell on those memories. Enjoy them over and over again! This practice will help convince your doubting heart that Jesus extraordinary love is really yours, every nanosecond of this life and throughout eternity. When you abide in Jesus, you also abide in his love, for God is love. As you live close to him, communing with him more and more. Jesus living presence permeates your entire being. This empowers you to trust in his unfailing love, secure in the salvation that He won for us.
Grace and Peace to You My Friends
QuietMomentsWithGod 