Devotional:The Greatest Gift:1 Corinthians 13

“But now faith, hope, love, abide these three; but the greatest of these is love” (1 Corinthians 13:13, NASB).

The quality of our lives and the length of its endurance are dependent on three things. These include our genetic makeup; our activity and exercise; and our diet. There is nothing that we can do about our genetics. We have some control over our activity and exercise as well as our diet. These three things will affect our lives as long as we live.

In the Corinthian church the members were in disagreement about which gifts of the Spirit was most important. Paul said that all the gifts had their place and use in the church. All were important for the edification of the church body and the glory of God. No one had all the gifts. “All do not have gifts of healings, do they? All do not speak with tongues, do they” All do not interpret, do they?” (12:30). All of the members should desire the greater gifts, but the gifts alone do not make the church effect. There is the need for love.

In chapter 13 Paul describes the virtues of love and how love makes the gifts more effective. The gifts of prophecy, tongues, and knowledge are needed, but these gifts are temporary. However, the gifts of faith, hope, and love are permanent. The greatest of these there is love. All three are needed, but love is needed more because love connects us to God. God demonstrated His love for us while we were sinners so that we could be forgiven of our sins (Romans 5:8) and be reconciled to Him for all eternity.

Prayer: Lord, we are thankful for love that binds us together forever.