Love

If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have 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 mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing.

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

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 perfection comes, the imperfect 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 childish ways behind me. Now we see but a poor 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.

I Corinthians 13

Jesus loved in all the ways that Paul describes in I Corinthians 13. In other words love could simply be summarized as Jesus for Jesus is love. Though He had wisdom, knowledge (for He created the universe), power to perform miracles, and the might of a billion angels at his finger tips, Jesus chose to love even in times when his disciples expected it the least. In His life it was clear that love was the motivation, the inspiration, and the expression of everything He thought and did. Christ loved across the board – from the outcast to the CEO and governors. What a great challenge! To those who think it is impossible He gives the power of the Holy Spirit to teach and guide, mold and develop into loving beings with a mission and purpose to transform the world through Love.

Prayer

Father in heaven,

As I go through my day today give me your love and help me to pass it on to others. Not just to those that are easy for me to love but also those that may seem less lovable in human eyes. As I acquire knowledge and apply the principles I learn daily, teach me to do it in love. May love, the pure love that only comes from You be the motivation for my actions. Purify my heart and make my intentions and motives pure. In a world where little love is shown, many of your children never knowing what it is to be loved or to love, help me to be an agent of your love, an instrument of restoration, a messenger of hope. And as I grow from child to man, leaving the childish and embracing the great things you have to offer, make your love the water that renews and restores my soul. Please give me the transforming power that comes through Love.