“The three most important things to have are FAITH, HOPE and LOVE (agapē: a love of devotion, regardless of our worthiness, which the God the Father places in us). But THE GREATEST OF THEM IS LOVE.” (1 Corinthians 13:13)
Why is LOVE the greatest?
Could it be because Paul said, “LOVE NEVER FAILS. prophecies, WILL FAIL; whether tongues, WILL CEASE; knowledge, WILL VANISH away.” (1 Corinthians 13:8) OR could it be what JESUS TAUGHT when asked by “…an expert in the law, who tested Jesus with this question: “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” Jesus replied: “‘LOVE the Lord your God with ALL your heart and with ALL your soul and with ALL your mind.’ This is the FIRST AND GREATEST COMMANDMENT. And the second is like it: ‘LOVE your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets HANG (kremannumi: To support or keep from falling) on these two commandments.” (Matthew 22:35-40)
To illustrate this, “He who says he is in the light, and hates his brother, IS IN DARKNESS…” (1 John 2:9) “Behold WHAT MANNER OF LOVE the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called CHILDREN OF GOD! Therefore, the world does not know us, because IT DID NOT KNOW HIM.” (1 John 3:1) Look at what this love provides, “For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the SPIRIT OF ADOPTION (because God so loved the world…) by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father.” The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are CHILDREN OF GOD, and if children, then heirs—HEIRS (klēronomos: one who receives his allotted possession by right of sonship) OF GOD AND JOINT–HEIRS WITH CHRIST…“ (Romans 8:15-17)
Your Personal Pastor -Bill Stockham