Abides ForeverSpeaker: Dr. D.G.S. Dhinakaran Gist: Faith, hope and love.'Love' is considered to be the greatest among the three. In this transient world, he who does the will of God abides forever. It is necessary to hold on to certain important eternal things, in order to live eternally in this world and also in the world to come.
In 1 Corinthians 13:13 we read about three things, which abides forever. "And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love." When we hold on to these things, we too can abide forever, amidst trials, tribulations and sicknesses. The Bible says that the greatest of faith, hope and love is love. There are two reasons for this. We come across the first reason in Galatians 5:6, "Faith working through love." If we do not have love, faith cannot work. What about hope? "Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us" (Romans 5:5).
God's love, which is poured out in our hearts, gives us hope. Hence, without love, we do not get faith and hope. That is why, Apostle Paul said, "Though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing."
Many years ago, when we had been to Canada, we went to see a funny place called 'Sea World'. There, we saw two big dolphins, weighing six hundred tons each, in a big water trough. They perform many funny things. If they are asked to jump, they do it immediately. And if they are asked to touch a ball, which is hung forty feet high, they judge the distance carefully and pounce on the ball and come back after touching it. Do you know the methods they adopt to train them? They keep a bucket of small fishes and call the dolphins and give them a few fish as food. Then they will be asked to go and touch the ball. When they return after touching it, they will be given few more fishes. After eating the fish, they go back happily. These small fish make the dolphins obey the commands. Likewise, only the small fish 'love' makes 'faith and hope' work. Hence, 'love' is considered to be the greatest among the three.
We come across the second reason in Proverbs 10:12, "Love covers all sins." 1 Peter 4:8 says, "Love will cover a multitudes of sins." Faith cannot do this. It makes a man to come to Christ. Only the love of Jesus for mankind can forgives the sins of a man.
We read about a sinful woman in Luke 7:37,38. She sat at the feet of Jesus and wept. At that time, Jesus looked at the host and said, "Simon, the love shown by this woman, ever since she came to your house, melts my heart. Even I too want to show My love to her. Hence, I forgive all her sins." Since she loved Jesus very much, He looked at her and said, "Your sins are forgiven". Yes her love for the Lord made him forgive all her sins in a fraction of a second. Hence 'love' is great.
Prayer:
Loving Heavenly Father,
I thank You for Your mighty love and for the way it has touched my life. Thank You for empowering me, enabling me to do things I never thought I could do. You have allowed me to serve You, equipping me with Your Spirit, and filling me with Your love. Help me to act in love, speak in love, walk in love, and pray in love. Keep my emotions under the power of love, and make my thoughts loving ones. In Jesus' mighty name, I make this humble prayer.
Amen.
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