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. 

Faith, Hope, & Love

 The respected theologian, Matthew Henry, says there are three enduring graces: faith, hope and love. “Faith constantly waits for divine revelation, and hope waits for future happiness. In heaven our faith becomes sight and hope is fulfilled. But love is fastened to God, our heavenly Father, who has no beginning, no end.” God/Love is eternal. Finally, in heaven we will be able to “perfectly” love God. 

Develop Our 3 Graces

But while we are on earth, we continue to develop our three enduring graces. Many times we pray for the faith to accomplish something we want to do for God. But, did you know that God has already given us faith? Romans 12:3 AMP says ” For by the grace [of God] given to me I say to everyone of you not to think more highly of himself [and of his importance and ability] than he ought to think; but to think so as to have sound judgment, as God has apportioned to each a degree of faith [and a purpose designed for service].”

A note in my Spirit-Filled Life Bible says that “the measure of faith is not saving faith but the faith to receive and to exercise the gifts God apportions to us. The measure of faith He gives corresponds to the role He assigns as Creator and Redeemer.” Isn’t that amazing? Joyce Meyer further elaborates on this when she says that we don’t need to pray for faith because if you’re a Christian, God has already given it to you. What we need to pray for is that we activate that faith. 

Always Hope

Hope in verse 13 means “expectation of good” and “joyful and confident expectation of eternal salvation.” So in the day to day of life, we can live our lives in expectation that God will provide for our daily needs and for what we need to live out our calling here on earth, while being assured of eternal life in heaven. 

Love Conquers All

Ultimately, Love conquers all things, why? Because God is love. And he lavishly loves you and me. Because of His great love for us, we are free to love others. Since God has an infinite supply of love, we no longer need to hoard his love for us. We always have love to give (just like we don’t have to share our love from child 1 when child 2 is born. Our heart expands with even more love). So let’s start today to be a refreshing fountain of faith, hope, & love for all we come into contact with. Be loved, Beloved and go into all the world and be love. Amen.