The greatest of these. 1 Corinthians 13:13. “And now abides faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.”
The words were there like angels' sound – but noisy, cheap, tinkling: insincere. The gifts were there – impressive, knowledgeable, mysterious: powerless. The faith was there – like earthquakes, earthmovers, overwhelming: hard as nails. The works were there – food for the hungry, needs to be met, body parts given away: no love.
But love is patient when I have a right to be impatient. Kindness when nobody sees or knows. Generous when not expecting recognition. Love is humble and it doesn’t have to be pretended; courteous even when no one cares or even notices. It is true unselfishness that wants the best for others. Love has a good temper characterized by evenness when pressured. It is guileless – not trying to second guess anyone and sincere – I really mean what I say.
And yet when love is wronged, it maintains a kindly spirit because love is humble in character without advertising. Love wants the best for others without being foolish and love thinks the best, so doesn’t display anger. Love rejoices in God’s purposes, not others’ failures. So, love is not hasty but patient; is not boastful but unostentatious, is not inconsiderate but benevolent; is not arrogant but humble. It is not envious but content nor is it rude but rather, courteous. Love is not irritable but good-tempered; is not selfish but self-forgetting; is not vindictive but generous; is not malevolent but high-principled. Love is not rebellious but brave; is not suspicious but confident and it is not conquerable but indomitable; is not despondent but undiscouraged – this is LOVE!
It rises high above all others as sovereign in the human heart; as sovereign in the human mind; as sovereign in the human will – it is Christ in you! Love never fails! LOVE IS THE GREATEST! Of all evidence of Christ-like character a human could have, love, is the greatest. In every part of our Lord Jesus Christ’s walk here on earth among men, it was plain to see He loved His Father and He loved us. I want to be like this when people look at me – to know I love God and them.