The Greatest of These
OPENING PRAYER:
Spirit, show us how important love truly is every day.
“Love never fails. But where 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, and we prophesy 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 a 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 13:8-13 (NIV)
REFLECT:
We are reminded over and over again in scripture that love is important and, here in 1 Corinthians, we see it spelled out explicitly. We see that love is critical. It helps us grow and mature in our faith. It helps us realize that we are fully known and helps us see each other more fully. It is vital and it is urgent as we seek to live the way that Christ has empowered us to.
APPLY:
Take time to reflect on the fact that you are covered by God’s love. Think about how fully known you are. Let the Spirit show you how that translates to the way that you see others.
CLOSING PRAYER:
Spirit, thank you for your guidance and prompting. Help show me how I am fully known and show me God’s way of loving those around me today.
CONTINUED READING:
1 John 3:17-18, Galatians 5:13