Daily Bible Study

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Day 14 1 Corinthians 13 1 Corinthians 13:1 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity (love), I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling 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, and have not charity (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, and have not charity (love), it profits me nothing. 4 Charity (love) suffers long, and is kind; charity (love) envies not; charity (love) vaunts not itself, is not puffed up, 5 Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeks not her own, is not easily provoked, thinks no evil; 6 Rejoices not in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; 7 Bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. 8 Charity (love) never fails: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away. 9 For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. 10 But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away. 11 When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things. 12 For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known. 13 And now abides faith, hope, charity (love), these three; but the greatest of these is charity (love). Love is the greatest human emotion people have. People write songs about love, they even kill for love. Everything in life revolves around love. In the last chapter Paul showed how we all fit together in the Body of Christ through the power gifts of the Holy Spirit. He also said there was one greater gift than all those presented – love. Many people quote the verses of love in their wedding ceremonies as they promise to be faithful until death, they do part. Many people also believe that this chapter negates the previous chapter with the power gifts of the Holy Spirit and teach that the gifts of the Holy Spirit have been done away with because Paul said they would cease. They will, when the perfect comes. The perfect is Jesus Christ, and He hasn’t returned yet. So, then everything Paul wrote to the church in Corinth is still valid today. We still have all the gifts of the Holy Spirit and love, the greatest gift of them all, given to us, not by the Holy Spirit, but by God the Father when He sent Jesus to be born of a virgin, to live and teach among men, and die for the sins of the whole world, and rise again on the third day for your salvation. When Jesus returns, we will have no purpose for the power gifts. Until Jesus returns, we are to employ them in our daily lives, edifying the body of Jesus Christ, and over all those gifts, we are to do everything with love for each other. Love is the greatest gift God could give. He gave it freely because God loves us and He demonstrated that love in everything He did from the creation to this moment in time. Romans 5:8 But God commends his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 1 John 3:16 Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. Love demands a sacrifice. As Christians, you know the sacrifice God made on your behalf with the death of His Son. Your sacrifice in also found in love when you give everything You have, all the power gifts of the Holy Spirit, for the souls of mankind. Jesus’ parting message and mission for every believer was to go and make disciples of every nation. You can’t do that without love, without giving everything you have. God gave you everything you need, equipping you for the mission with the power gifts of the Holy Spirit, and the power of love. Without love, you can’t accomplish anything. With love you can accomplish everything. The message and mission is valid today. The power gifts of the Holy Spirit is valid today. What are you going to do with what God gave you? Matthew 28:19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen. It started with love and will end in love. Go and love. Show those around you the love of God, and you will show the greatest gift you can give your fellow man. Let’s pray: Father, help me show those around me Your love. Let me give love by my actions, not just my words. Fill me to overflowing with Your love. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen. Copyright © 27 March 2019 by Valerie Routhieaux Image courtesy of Pixabay