Love Never Ends
|
Love never ends. As for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when the perfect comes, the partial will pass away. When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I gave up childish ways. For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known. So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love. (1 Cor 13: 8 - 13 ESV)
|
Chapter 13 is the well known Scripture reading often read at wedding ceremonies. It is very meaningful in the new relationship between husband and wife. However, for the Christian love, true love, is the basis for eternal existence together now and in the eons of time to come. Love is the glue that hold all things together. It is greater than all the other Christian qualities -- even greater than faith and hope. In the eternal sphere of eternity there will be no need of prophecy, tongues and knowledge, but not so for love.
A loveless church is not only cold but offers no hope or unity. I have attended numerous churches over the years. In many of them there is little love. They are cold and uninviting. You enter to worship but are never greeted; no one is interested enough to talk to you, and you are never included in their conversation groups. After the service you leave without making any friends or having meaningful contact with anyone. These people are too involved with their own lives to show any concern for others including the stranger entering the front door.
Some churches are different. They make a point of welcoming strangers. You are made to feel welcome. You are not left in the periphery. People in these churches are not intrusive but want to share themselves with you. You leave after the service knowing you will be welcomed back next time you come.
Jesus spoke of love as caring and giving oneself for the benefit of others, and putting their needs above our wants. In eternity, in the new heaven and earth, this is how we will all live. There will be no pride, jealousy, hatred or selfishness. We will all show concern for our fellow citizens with a longing to help, please and fulfill their expectations. Our love will build up and consolidate our eternal communities.
As I work to please and fulfill others' needs they will do the same for me. No one will live to please his or her self. True love will bring peace and joy, and the fulfillment of all our expectations. This is what true love is meant to be.
|
PeterF
|
Total Views: 409
|
All submitted comments will be read, but may only be displayed at my discretion. Please keep
comments brief. Large comments, that are displayed, will be shortened to around
100 words. Your email address will not be displayed, only the senders' name will be shown.
|
|
MORE INSIGHTS
Read Other Reflections on the Bible
1 Cor 13: 8 - 13
Chapter 13 is the well known Scripture reading often read at wedding ceremonies. It is very meaningful in the new relationship between husband and wife. However, for the Christian love, true love, is the basis for eternal existence together now . . .
1 Cor 15: 50 - 57
At the end of time when Jesus returns we who are still here will be changed. Our new bodies will last forever and not grow old and die. Those who have died will be raised to life again with new bodies. This only applies to Christians whose names . . .
Mark 12: 1 - 12
We learn in the Bible that many of the Scribes and Pharisees hated Jesus because He didn't mince words exposing their hipocricy and evil. The message of this passage was directed at them but Jesus also spoke of His death and resurrection to His . . .
1 Cor 9: 9 - 14
Most of us have heard about the "money preachers". Watch late night television in the wee hours before dawn and you find any number of televangelists spruiking their "name-it-and-claim-it" gospel. They may agree with the verses shown above about . . .
1 Cor 2:12-14
In Paul's letter to the Corinthian church we read how the Holy Spirit given to Christians reveals God's truths and wisdom. These were decreed by God even before the creation of the world.
The truth about salvation, about His plan for a coming . . .
Joel 2: 28 - 32
The passage above is a favourite among prophecy teachers. There are two schools of thought on the interpretation of the text. The popular view is that it applies to all Christians in the days prior to Christ’s return. Some disagree and claim it . . .
Revelation 1: 10 – 11
These letters to the seven churches, in chapters 1 to 3, are written in a different style to the rest of the prophetic text of Revelation. We are not told why these particular towns were selected but perhaps the apostle John who wrote down the . . .
Hebrews 10: 26 - 39
Many Christians believe that once saved you are always saved. But the Bible tells us otherwise as we read here in chapter 10. What they fail to realise is this: God gave us a free will to choose our own destiny. God’s long-term plan was to create . . .
Luke 17: 23 - 36
Firstly, although we understand God to be a God of love, wanting all people to be saved, why did He bring destruction on those living at the time of Noah and Lot? How can that be love? Universalists think because God is Love He will relent . . .
1 Corinthians 12: 4 - 11
St Paul wrote to the Corinthian church so they would not be ignorant of the gifts of the Spirit. It was God’s plan for His people to live and work in unity with one purpose and have an overwhelming love for one another. These spiritual gifts were . . .
|
|