LOVE: And the Greatest of These Is Love

Let’s talk about love—the one thing that has the power to heal wounds, bridge gaps, and remind us that we are not alone in this world. Love is the most profound, life-giving force that God has given us, yet it’s also the most overlooked, the most misused, and sometimes, the most misunderstood.

Through everything we’ve been through—every heartache, every disappointment, every season of joy, and every lesson learned—there is nothing that compares to love. Nothing.

When Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 13:13, “And now these three remain: faith, hope, and love. But the greatest of these is love,” he wasn’t just giving us poetic words for wedding ceremonies. He was giving us a life principle.

Faith is essential—we need it to believe in what we cannot see. Hope is critical—it keeps us moving forward, even when life knocks us down. But love? Love is the glue that holds it all together. Without it, faith feels empty, and hope feels distant.

God has made love a necessity for human survival. It’s not just a feeling or an emotion—it’s an action, a decision, a way of being. It is patience when you feel frustrated. It is kindness when it would be easier to walk away. It is forgiveness when you would rather hold a grudge.

Love is what keeps us connected to one another. It’s what makes a mother instinctively nurture her child, what compels a friend to stand by your side through life’s storms, and what allows a person to give—even when they have little left for themselves.

The world has tried to redefine love, to package it as something fleeting, conditional, or shallow. But real love—the God-given kind—is unshakable, unconditional, and undeniable.

The very essence of who God is can be summed up in one word: Love.

1 John 4:8 says, "Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love."

He loved us first. Not because we deserved it. Not because we earned it. But because love is who He is.

And if we are made in His image, that means love is who we are meant to be, too.

That means:

• Loving even when it’s hard.

• Loving even when you don’t understand.

• Loving even when you’ve been hurt.

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Love is what led Jesus to the cross. It was love that kept Him there, not the nails. Love is what God extends to us every single day, with new mercies, fresh grace, and an unwavering invitation to walk in relationship with Him.

Love isn’t passive. It’s active. It shows up in how we treat people, in the way we speak, in the patience we offer, and in the grace we extend.

Here’s the real question: Are we loving well?

• Do we love people when they can’t offer us anything in return?

• Do we love through action rather than just words?

• Do we love even when we’re tired, frustrated, or struggling ourselves?

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Love is the way we reflect God. It’s what makes healing possible, what turns strangers into family, and what makes this unpredictable, sometimes chaotic life feel worth it.

And if we ever wonder how we should be loving, God has already given us the blueprint:

"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails." — 1 Corinthians 13:4-8

This is what love looks like. Not just in romance, but in friendships, family, community, and even in how we love ourselves.

In a world where so much feels uncertain, where negativity seems louder than ever, and where division is rampant—love remains the most powerful force.

Let’s love deeply. Let’s love intentionally. Let’s love like Jesus.

Because when everything else fades away, love will still remain.

A Short Prayer for Love:

"Lord, teach me how to love the way You love. Give me a heart that is patient, kind, and full of grace. Help me to love even when it’s hard, to extend mercy even when I don’t feel like it, and to walk in love every single day. Let my life be a reflection of Your love in action. Amen."

Love is the greatest. Love is the key. Love never fails.