The Greatest of These is Love
- Bishop Keith Butler
- Jun 11, 2023
- 2 min read
And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity. (1 Corinthians 13:13)
As Christians, we should understand the importance of faith and hope in our lives. We understand that faith is the foundation of our beliefs, and that hope keeps us moving forward, even in the most difficult of times. But what about love? This verse tells us that love is the greatest of these three virtues. But what does this mean for us as Christians? Do we truly understand the significance of love?
Love is a powerful force that transforms our lives and the lives of those around us. It is the love of God that led Him to send His only Son to die for us on the cross (John 3:16).
Through His love for us, we have been saved and delivered from all the power of the enemy.
As believers, we are called to love others with the same voracity and strength that God loves us (John 13:34). This means loving our neighbors, even our enemies, and showing compassion and kindness to everyone. His love through us transforms workplaces, families, friendships, relationships. Love can even transform cities!
Love is also a fruit of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23). When we allow the Holy Spirit to work in our lives, we will naturally exhibit God’s kind of love toward others. This love is not just a feeling or emotion but is demonstrated through our actions and behaviors. It is seen in the way we treat others, in our willingness to forgive and show mercy, and in our desire to serve those in need. But the truth is that love is not always easy. It requires sacrifice and selflessness. It means putting the needs of others before our own and seeking to build up and encourage those around us with effort and energy. Love requires us to lie down our own desires and agendas and instead seek to honor and serve God through loving others.
Practical Application
How can you purposely love someone today - not just that person in your family, but the co-worker, the boss, or the friend with an attitude. Ask the Holy Spirit to show you how you can actively deposit the love of God into the atmosphere wherever you go.
