Life is Nothing Without Love

"And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity." 1 Corinthians 13:13

The translators of the Bible might have done us a favor by using the word "love" here instead of "charity." It wouldn't have mistreated the Greek; it would have clarified it. Plus, it would have prevented any unnecessary confusion or complications, just like the ones you might be feeling right now.

But let's speak about something more important: the abiding love that flows from faith and hope. These two essential elements can't truly exist in our hearts without being rooted in love. We can't actually love God unless we first believe He loves us, and have hope in His promises made in Christ.

So why do we love Him? It isn't because of His glory or sovereign power. It isn't because He is the Judge of all the earth. No, it's because He first loved us. And how did He manifest His love for us? By sending His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him.

But here's the thing; our hearts are strangers to this love until we believe in Christ and hope in His salvation. Only then can we live in love and walk in love, because we live a life of faith established by the God of love.

Now, you might be wondering why love is greater than faith and hope. It's because love is the greatest proof that faith and hope exist at all. Without love, how can you know that you truly believe and hope? Imagine being called upon to be a martyr for Christ. You believe that you can do everything through Christ who strengthens you, and you hope He will strengthen you. But if you love Him so much that you're willing to suffer for Him, you prove your faith and hope.

Life is nothing without love. And when all is said and done, love will endure even after faith and hope are swallowed up by sight. In fact, I would go so far as to say that love includes faith and hope. You see, love "believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things; it never fails." Oh, how I pray that the Holy Spirit would crown these blessed graces with more heavenly love in our hearts so that we may not only be a believing and hoping people of God, but also a loving people.

Oh, may we burn with a flame sparked by divine love. A love that flows from Him, to Him, and to each other, and that lifts us to the suburbs of heaven, above the deceits of sin, Satan, and the world. For love is of God.