Daily Devotional Day 36 (02/05/2024) The Greatest of These is Love

Author: Missionary Jamie Hoffman

“The Greatest of These is Love”
13 And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love. 
1 Corinthians 13:1-13

Devotional:
What’s love got to do with it? EVERYTHING! Today’s scripture denotes that you can speak in tongues, have the gift of prophecy, display great faith, and do great charitable deeds, but guess what? If you don’t have love, none of those things matter. Love is foundational in our relationship with God, because God is love (1 John 4:16). Love also is a requirement that God expects for us to have for HIm and to share with each other. Jesus let us know in Matthew 22:37-39 that first we must love the Lord our God with all of our heart, mind, and soul. That is the greatest commandment. Then, He said that the second greatest commandment is that we love our neighbors as we love ourselves.

Sometimes, as we go through the trials and tribulations of life, we become bitter and hardened by those negative experiences, and we find ourselves not always showing love like we should in our interactions with others. That’s when we have to do a heart check and make sure that our love lines up with God’s love. Our scripture today says, “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.” (1 Corinthians 13: 4-7 NIV) How great is your love?
 
Jesus gave us the greatest example of true love in action. He sacrificed His life for the same people who yelled for Him to be crucified. He sacrificed His life for ALL humanity to be redeemed back to God. It is easy to love people who we find to be loveable. However, can we love people who have hurt us, wronged us, mistreated us, talked about us, and used us? Jesus did, and so can we! 


Prayer:
Lord, help me to love like You love. Purify my heart of anything that does not seek to bring You glory. Help me to live a life of love on purpose, in your purpose, and with purpose. In Jesus name, Amen.