Love

Pastor’s message this morning, “For God So Loved” was a masterpiece, reminding us that love never gives up on people, and God will never give up on us. What comforting words those are for the sometimes not-so-lovable me. It was one of those messages that feeds your soul for a very long time, and I plan to watch it again and soak it in some more.

After lunch, I went home and looked up my favorite “love” chapter, 1 Corinthians 13, where the Apostle Paul dispenses some very “tough love” to Believers everywhere, letting us know that, without love, any outward display of spirituality is worthless in God’s eyes. Verses 1-3 say: “Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. 2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing.”

Those are really harsh, sobering facts, my friends, and I read them several times. I personally know people who have a hard time being in the same room with certain people, yet they call themselves “Christians.” Don’t kid yourself. We aren’t commanded to only love those who love us. We’re commanded to love those who don’t love us. “But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you,” Matthew 5:44. Is that easy to do? No. But the Bible says if you don’t love, you don’t even know God, because “God is love,” (1 John 4:8).

To anyone who hasn’t already gone to bed, I hope it’s been a blessed day, and I hope you never forget that, of these three things—faith, hope and love—love is the greatest. They aren’t equal. Love is the greatest. Goodnight to you all, and if you live to see another sunrise, spread a little love all over tomorrow. I plan to.