Love has to be the most overused word in modern language. We apply it to everything which has caused it to lose its power. If our love for ice cream is equal to our love for our spouse, we have a problem. This isn’t what God intended when He created us to love others. He wanted it to be the strongest and most enduring force within us. When everything else fails, love reigns supreme.
1 Corinthians 13:13
Now these three remain: faith, hope, and love — but the greatest of these is love.”
Love is a Verb
Paul’s final words in his chapter on love end with this verse. He is saying this to a church that has become inward-focused and selfish. There is a group of haves and have nots, and the divide is growing larger. In Chapter 13 of 1 Corinthians, he reminds them of what love is and how to apply it within the church. As he finishes, he tells them that faith and hope are essential, but love reigns supreme. Don’t tell someone to put their hope in Jesus and faith that He will come through when you have ample means to love them in a tangible way.
Love is Messy
One of the authentic marks of a mature believer is their ability to love people biblically. Love is more than words or feelings. Telling someone you love them or having a good feeling about them is not true love. As the saying goes, “Love is a verb.” Love is more shown than it is spoken. It’s messy and unplanned but willing to go the extra mile when needed. When everything else fades away, love should remain.
Love Reigns Supreme
Love is being able to work through the hurt and the pain that people have caused you and to continue on because it has been given to us by the Holy Spirit. It’s not dependent upon the other person loving us back and remains even if we are rejected. That is how God loves us. If you are having trouble loving others, ask God to change your heart, and fill it with His perfect love.