“But now faith, hope, love, abide these three; but the greatest of these is love.” 1 Corinthians 13:13

It has been said that historically the church has found it difficult to be loving. It is easier to be orthodox than to be loving, and easier to be active in church work than to be loving. Yet the supreme characteristic that God requires of His people is love.

The love we are called to exhibit is agape love - not sentimental or brotherly love (not that these are in any way wrong). Agape love is the willing, joyful desire to put the welfare of others above our own - supernatural love that can only be supplied through Holy Spirit. Agape love is always self-sacrificing, but self-sacrifice does not necessarily come from love - as Paul so well elaborates in this chapter. We can do devoid of love.

Perhaps a devotional about love seems of lesser importance than the “deeper” things of scripture but, as is made abundantly clear in chapter 13, the “deeper” things are truly shallow things devoid of love. Maybe we relegate love to a lesser priority because it is easily understood, but the challenge of its practice is why it is such a high priority. And, this agape love will be - and is - diminished in these last days (Matthew 24:12).

There is an old saying that I do not care how much you know until I know how much you care. That’s a fair summary of the essence of 1 Corinthians 13.

Agape love is an imperative, not an option: “This is My commandment, that you love one another, just as I have loved you.” John 15:12. Unless our agape love is characterized but that full measure, then growing in love is our continual calling and challenge.

Be sure to also see Amazon ebook & print devotional and podcast: New Day Dawning.