1 Corinthians 13:13 "In this life we have three lasting qualities---faith, hope,, and love. But the greatest of them is love." (Phillips)
One of the most familiar passages of scripture for most people. I thought I would use the quote from the Phillips translation to get a less familiar sound to the words. I like the description of "three lasting qualities". These are qualities that stand the test of time. You can't ever have too much of faith, hope and love. They will get you through any circumstance.
Our faith keeps us connected to our God who is over and in all things. Our faith assures us of the answers to our most important questions---why are we here? What is our purpose? Who is our Father and Creator?
Hope is also full of assurance because Christian hope is built on the foundation of our belief in Jesus Christ. Our hope expects a definite result---eternal life in Christ. We always have that hope along with our faith to lean on. God will not fail us---ever.
Love is the gift that ties up the other two in a neat package. God's love for us---never ending, unmerited, grace---surrounds us. We respond with our love for Him and for others. This was the command that Christ gave several times---love God first and most, and love each other. The 13th chapter of 1 Corinthians is Paul's wonderful description of love ending with this verse declaring love "the greatest".
Paul doesn't expect us to stop there and just enjoy these words as a neat passage to read at weddings. he continues in his next verse in chapter 14:
"Follow then, the way of love, while you set your heart on the gifts of the Spirit." (Phillips)
The gifts of the Spirit were new to the Church and there was some bragging and discussion as to what were the greatest gifts. Paul says to apply the rule of love in all things in the Church. That is the most important thing of all---"follow the way of love". Christ himself stopped John and James from arguing about who would be the greatest in his kingdom and have the choice spots. That's not the way of love. The way of love is service and sacrifice. The way of love gives rather then takes. The way of love is everything Paul says in chapter 13 about love. This is what lasts---faith, hope and real Christian love.
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