Our Loving God
1 Corinthians 13:13 - Now abide these three, faith, hope and love, but the greatest of these is love.
This conclusion of 1 Corinthians 13 is based on three factors:
First, God Himself. He does not exercise faith or hope since He knows all things past, present and future. He is all powerful. However, 1 John tells us that God is love. This is because in the Trinity here is perfect love among the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. This love flows from God to us 'For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life'.
Second, ourselves. In this life we walk by faith and not by sight. In eternity we will see Him face to face and we shall know as we are known.
Third, consider the description of love in this chapter. Love is patient, kind, does not envy, does not boast, is not proud, is not rude, is not self-seeking, is not easily angered, keeps no record of wrongs, does not delight in evil but rejoices in the truth, always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. This not only explains to us the characteristics of love, it also describes our God and Saviour.
(Originally printed in the church bulletin March 15, 2015 )