A Nugget from New Life Network
Scripture for the Day (August 24, 2016)
First Corinthians 13 (the Love chapter)
Our devotional and scripture for today is going to be the “Love” chapter of the Bible which is in First Corinthians 13 (AMPC Bible). As born-again spirit filled Christians we need to all (including myself) read this chapter at least weekly. We live in a time where it is very easy not to love. If you listen to the news for five minutes it can get you into hate and disgust very quickly. If you listen just strictly to colleagues and friends you could be quickly offended. We are supposed to be in the business of changing hearts. Hate and disgust will never change a heart! Hurt people will always hurt people.
God has an answer for all the tough stuff we walk through in this life and that answer is love. Love is the only thing that will change a heart. Love is the only thing that will never fail.
If I [can] speak in the tongues of men and [even] of angels, but have not love (that reasoning, intentional, spiritual devotion (such as is inspired by God’s love for and in us), I am only a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophetic powers (the gift of interpreting the divine will and purpose), and understand all the secret truths and mysteries and possess all knowledge, and if I have [sufficient] faith so that I can remove mountains, but have not love (God’s love in me) I am nothing (a useless nobody).
Even if I dole out all that I have [to the poor in providing] food, and if I surrender my body to be burned or in order that I may glory, but have not love (God’s love in me), I gain nothing. Love endures long and is patient and kind; love never is envious nor boils over with jealousy, is not boastful or vainglorious, does not display itself haughtily, it is not conceited (arrogant and inflated with pride); it is not rude (unmannerly) and does not act unbecomingly.
Love (God’s love in us) does not insist on its own rights or its own way, for it is not self-seeking; it is not touchy or fretful or resentful; it takes no account of the evil done to it [it pays no attention to a suffered wrong]. It does not rejoice at injustice and unrighteousness, but rejoices when right and truth prevail. Love bears up under anything and everything that comes, is ever ready to believe the best of every person, its hopes are fadeless under all circumstances, and it endures everything [without weakening].
Love never fails [never fades out or becomes obsolete or comes to an end].
Is it easy to walk this road? Absolutely not! But, we did have a teacher and example that walked it before us and His name was Jesus. None of us will have to endure what He endured and His last words were “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.” (Luke 23:34). That is a powerful example of walking in love!
Just think of Him Who endured from sinners such grievous opposition and bitter hostility against Himself [reckon up and consider it all in comparison with your trials], so that you may not grow weary or exhausted, losing heart and relaxing and fainting in your minds. You have not yet struggled and fought agonizingly against sin, nor have you yet resisted and withstood to the point of pouring out your [own] blood. (Hebrews 12:3-4, AMPC)
