1 Though I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. 3 If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast,  but do not have love, I gain nothing.

4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

8 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. 9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part, 10 but when completeness comes, what is in part disappears. 11 When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me. 12 For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.

13 And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love. 

The greatest love. 

The human need for love is so great many experts say we cannot survive without it. People are willing to sacrifice everything for their loved ones. God’s word says there is no greater love than this, that one should lay down his life for a friend. That’s exactly what Jesus did for us, for you and for me. He laid down His life on the cross.

The greatest virtue.

Why is love the greatest of all virtues and graces? Because God is love. The Greek word for greatest in this verse is meizon which means greater, larger, stronger, elder.

While I was meditating on these definitions, elder caught my eye. Love is not only  the greatest of virtues, it is the oldest of virtues. Before time began there was Love. Love is timeless because God is timeless and God is love. Love has always existed and will always exist. His love for you and me will never run out because He is infinite and has an infinite supply of love.

Love never fails.

When we feel overwhelmed by the world and its troubles, we can remember that love never fails. We can choose to love even if we don’t feel love. For now and forever. 

The greatest commandment to love.

In the new Testament, God has given us two commandments. The first is to love God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength. The second is to love your neighbor as yourself. Upon these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets. From Genesis to Revelation, God’s Word is all about His great love for mankind. And from the beginning of your life to the end, the greatest thing you can do with your talents, time and treasure, is to love God and to love your neighbor as yourself.

Be greatly loved.

During this celebration of the season of love, accept, receive, bask in the Great love God freely offers you, and finally give yourself permission to accept His love for you. Be loved, Beloved.