DEVOTIONAL: The Greatest Of These

What is the greatest virtue?

Patience? Generosity? Self-sacrifice? Honesty? Caring? Fairness? Justice? Flexibility? Integrity? Optimism? Loyalty? Tact? Gratitude? Tolerance? Service? Humility? Wisdom?

These are all important, and in various verses the Bible commends and commands them all . However, one stands head and shoulders above the crowd: Love .

I Corinthians 13, often called “The Love Chapter” and quoted at weddings, contains these gems in verses 4-7. “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres” (NIV).

The author, Paul, goes on to explain in verses 8-10 how love trumps other religious practices like predicting the future or having great understanding. “ Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when completeness comes, what is in part disappears.”

Verse 13 sums it up: “And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.”

It does not say “the greatest of these is fairness, open-mindedness, tolerance,” etc.

Also, there’s no world-famous hymn called “Amazing Justice” or “Amazing Ethics” or “Amazing Truth.” There is, however, a famous one called, “Amazing Grace.”

Jesus gave this hard teaching: “ A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another” (John 13:34-35 NIV).

Take the next step: Take I Corinthians 13:4-7 and write it down where you will see it daily, but replace each word “love” and “it” with your first name . Reread it often and prayerfully, and watch what happens.

S.D.G./S.G.D.

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