LOVE

"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 Greek word for love means a selfless concern for the needs of others. Real love doesn't depend on whether the person being loved is worthy or not; instead, love is a decision, and act of the will to love - yes, even the unlovable - in obedience to God's command.

We've learned this week that God is love, and love comes from God. That's why His command to love others is so important. It's also why love is the greatest of our spiritual gifts.

Love outlasts the gifts of prophesy, tongues, and knowledge. As we mature spiritually, we keep growing in our love relationships with God, all the way until we see Jesus face-to-face in heaven. Growing in His love is how we obey Him when He tells us to love our neighbor, even when our neighbor is hard to love.

May you love others as He has commanded, may you be in step with His love always, and may you seek His love above all else.

Dear Jesus, by the power of Your Spirit within me, enlighten me and empower me to love as You love. In Your name I make this prayer. Amen.