1 Corinthians 13:1-13 - If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have 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 do not have love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing. Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, 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 completeness comes, what is in part 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 the ways of childhood behind me. For now we see only a 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.

The Greatest Commandment

In 1 Corinthians 13, Paul emphasizes the importance of love in the life of a believer. He describes how even the most impressive spiritual gifts are meaningless without love. Love is patient, kind, and selfless. It does not envy or boast, and it keeps no record of wrongs. Love rejoices with the truth and always perseveres. It never fails. Paul reminds us that love is greater than all other virtues, including faith and hope. Love is the foundation of our relationship with God and with others. As we strive to live a life of love, we reflect the character of Christ and fulfill the greatest commandment: to love God with all our heart, soul, and mind, and to love our neighbor as ourselves.

Heavenly Father, thank you for the reminder of the importance of love in our lives. Help us to love as you have loved us, with patience, kindness, and selflessness. Fill our hearts with your love so that we may reflect your character to those around us. Teach us to love you with all our heart, soul, and mind, and to love our neighbors as ourselves. In Jesus' name, amen.