Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will be done away with. Where there are various languages, they will cease. Where there is knowledge, it will be done away with. 1 Corinthians 13:8 WEB

Paul’s description of God’s love in the thirteenth chapter of his first letter to the Corinthians is perhaps the most beautiful and impactful of all his writings. This is partially due to Paul’s literary ability but largely, the chapter is so moving because of the truth of God’s active, sacrificial, and unselfish ability to love. As Paul wrote, God’s love never fails.

The love described here is not the romantic sort. It is not the brotherly love of a sentimental friend or the intense emotional love of a romance. It is what the Greeks called “agape.” This love is sacrificial, willing to lay down its life for a friend and suffer when others suffer. This type of love is humble and selfless.

Love Is Patient and Kind

The apostle describes God’s love in 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 writing, “Love is patient and is kind. Love doesn’t envy. It doesn’t brag, is not proud, doesn’t behave itself inappropriately, doesn’t seek its own way, is not provoked, takes no account of evil; doesn’t rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, and endures all things. WEB”

As Christians, we may wonder if it is possible to love to the level of God’s love for us. It may seem impossible to love like God, but Christ commands us to do just that. The Lord says in John 13:34, “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, just like I have loved you; that you also love one another. WEB” 

Jesus gave this command knowing that love powerfully reinforces the church. Also, Christ knows that with God this type of love is possible for each of us. We read in 1 John 4:8, “He who doesn’t love doesn’t know God, for God is love. WEB” For this reason, love never fails. 

Yesterday’s Devotional: Cry Out to the Lord