The Greatest of These

1 Corinthians 13:11-13

“11 When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child; when I became an adult, I put an end to childish ways. 12 For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then we will see face to face. Now I know only in part; then I will know fully, even as I have been fully known. 13 And now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; and the greatest of these is love.”

Paul’s great, poetic chapter on love ends with Paul declaring that no matter what spiritual gift you have or how great and special you think that gift is, it is nothing if it is not coupled with the gift of love.

Many people have practiced their “faith” all of their lives only to find it was meaningless because it was practiced without love.  People who have never missed a Sunday worship service have never experienced God because they have worshiped without love.

Without love, all teaching and sermons fall flat.  Without love, all acts of charity are meaningless.  Without love, there is no hope.  Without love, the Christian faith will cease to exist.  

Twelve disciples changed the world…

because of their faith, because of their hope 

and because of their love.

May the love of Christ be with you,

Rev. Eric Lanier (Retired)