“These three remain: faith, hope and love . . . but the greatest of these is love.” The Apostle Paul closed the 13th chapter of 1st Corinthians with these words. During the chapter, he listed the different ways we might find acclaim for ourselves, citing different gifts we may possess. He is quick to point out, however, that if these gifts and talents are not used in ways based on love, that they fall far short of what they could have been.
Love is the very core of our being. It’s the reason God sent His Son to die for us. It’s the reason Jesus reached into the tomb to bring Lazarus back to life. It’s what compelled Paul to write his many letters to the churches he helped start. It’s the reason, it is the only answer.
John 13:34-35 “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."
As we begin 2010, may our love for God be that which motivates us, which compels us, which commands us to be His people and His church. May we truly love Him with all our heart, soul, mind and spirit, and may we truly love one another as He has first loved us (from Matthew 22:37). Pastor Mark