The greatest gift

One of the most common verses with regards to love is 1 Corinthians 13. For me, it is comprised of all the key components of moral love and highlights God’s personal love for us. I believe that it is this description of love we should aim for daily, both in providing and receiving it. If our new objective was to alter our standards and adjust them to fit those of God when it came to what we accepted and allowed into our lives, what a transformation our lives would experience and danger would our hearts avoid.

So if we are to change the standard and allow God to be who sets it for us, basing it purely  on this scripture alone; could we truly say that we have truly loved another and that we have truly been loved by another? This would fall under personal thoughts and views; but take the romance away, while you are at it remove all the fairy fictions, Disney notions and Hollywood outlines. Now can we truly say I have had the godly and healthy kind of love in my life? Let us allow scripture and not media be what concludes that for us.

So, the chapter starts off by making mention of the ability of speaking in angelic tongues, which is a spiritual gift in Christ, so it could be safe to conclude that one has given their life to God. However that step is no guarantee that they will have the capacity to truly love (in our own personal strength). As much as this is a gift from God through Christ and the Holy Spirit in us, but when there is no love behind a gift, the gift in itself loses it very heart. Thus though one may be a born again believer, (not to judge the walk of anyone), nonetheless if you are a born again believer in Christ yet fail to love others, what does that truly reflect about your walk? Not at all to imply that one is not entitled to be wounded and enraged by people, but the fruits of love towards others should be the core fruits in your walk.

Then the scripture then proceeded to speak about other vital gifts within the body of Christ, which are the gifts of prophesy and faith, which we all know have played and are some of the corner stones of our daily walk. However the scripture declares that we are nothing barren of love, once again attesting that it is love which sets us apart as believers in Christ. It is our love for each other, and our love for others who are not part of the body of Christ which reflects our faith. For if you truly reflect on it, how can you truly minister to others and call them to Christ if you cannot love them? How will you then be able to wept with those in anguish and comfort those that mourn; if you are unable to bring your soul to love them enough to make their pain yours and be affected by their condition. In our walk and in ministry, you need to have a love for those around you; otherwise each gift that God gives you will mean nothing and fail to be as effective as it ought to be.

While keeping in mind that our motivation ought not to be admiration, money, nor pride; but loving someone so much that we unable to watch them agonize. In essence, our gifts should be led by the love God gives us.  For, scripture states that though we may do every work and have the exterior of a devout heart, charitable towards the deprived, even becoming a martyr for the kingdom of God, but the motivation behind it was not love then it was altogether in futile.

Something to reflect on in our daily walk; am I being directed by the unchanged love that compelled our God, to surrender His Only Son, for a world occupied with sinners who would continuously discard Him through deed and word, spitting at His actual sacrifice? Is that the love within me and is it that love which took my place that guides me through all I accomplish for others? Do I truly echo the love of God to those around me?