Pure Love

If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 1 Corinthians 13:1–2

D.L. MOODY
A man may have wonderful knowledge, may be able to unravel the mysteries of the Bible, and yet be as cold as an icicle. He may glisten like the snow in the sun. Sometimes you have wondered why it was that certain ministers who have had such wonderful magnetism, who have such a marvelous command of language, and who preach with such mental strength, haven’t had more conversions. I believe, if the truth was known, you would find no divine love back of their words, no pure love in their sermons.

ERWIN LUTZER
Yes, without love we will be empty and repel people from the gospel rather than attract them. But we must distinguish human love from divine love. Human love is good, but it seldom is able to survive a storm. It says in effect, “As long as you are doing something for me, I can love you.” Only divine love endures by saying, “I love you no matter what.” Human loves says, “I can only take so much.” It is only divine love that lasts.
God loved us when we were unlovable, unresponsive, and in rebellion (Romans 5:5). Our love can endure because love comes from God. Christian love, the kind in 1 Corinthians 13, is a supernatural gift from God. The world can out-entertain us, the world can out-finance us, the world can outnumber us, but let it never be said that the world can out-love us.

PRAYER
Father, as I mediate on 1 Corinthians 13, may your love flow through me to others, even to those who regard me as their enemy.

REFLECTION QUESTIONS
What do you feel when you think of God’s love for you?

What does it mean for you to grow in God’s love?