Daily Devotions and Bible Readings
Understand Love’s Importance
1 Corinthians 13:1-3
Memory Verse: But now faith, hope, love, abide these three; but the greatest of these is love. 1 Corinthians 13:13
Nothing, that is what is left after a bubble pops. Our Scripture reading for today says that is what you have when you do not love and the amount of profit you gain when you do not love. Most of us want something to be left after all else is gone, so according to the Scripture, we better understand something about love.
As you start reading chapter 13, it would serve you well to read the last verse of chapter 12. Here Paul says, “And I show you a still more excellent way.” The emphasis of chapter 12 has prepared us to receive something better in the discourse to follow. The short lesson: it is better to have love than to have eloquence of speech. It is better to have love than prophecy, knowledge of mysteries and faith. It is better to have love than to have given all possessions to the needy.
But now wait a minute. If you gave your possessions to the needy wouldn’t that be demonstration of love? Now we are coming to the heart of the matter. It is not just the action that counts but the true emotion and commitment of love. It is a sincere compassion deep inside for others based on the love Christ has for us that should serve as the motivation for helping the needy, for gaining knowledge to help others, to walk in strong faith, and to speak with great persuasion.
These three short verses call us to examine our motives. May God’s spirit bear witness with our spirit if we are faithful in our actions and serve on the basis of love. May that same spirit convict us and teach us where we are serving from selfish motives.
Reflection
What did God say to me from this Scripture reading, devotional, and or prayer time?
What did I say to God?
