DCLM Daily Manna 14 February 2022
Topic: Love’s Unfailing Attributes
TEXT: 1 Corinthians 13:1-13
KEY VERSE:
“Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.” – (1 Corinthians 13:8)
Love is the greatest force in life because “love is strong as death… [and] many waters cannot quench love, neither can the floods drown it…” (Song of Solomon 8:6,7). It is love that made God to give His only begotten Son for the salvation of the world. It is love that made Christ “endure the cross, despising the shame…” to make that salvation available to us (Hebrews 12:2).
First Corinthians chapter thirteen is usually called “the love chapter” because it gives a vivid insight into what genuine love is. Love is not jealous, does not brag and is not proud. Love is not selfish and does not behave rudely. It is not easily provoked. It does not rejoice in evil; neither does it keep a record of wrongdoings. Love trusts.
Love is the first and the greatest commandment (Matthew 22:36-38). Love builds homes and sustains marriages and other relationships. Love makes life worth living. Love is seen in actions, words and even in facial expressions. Lack of love leads to tragedies like divorce, suicide, murder, war and so on. Love does not delight in fault-finding and criticisms because it “cover[s] the multitude of sins” (1 Peter 4:8).
Love is not resentful, but uplifts and encourages. Love puts a good construction on all things. This virtue comes through genuine conversion and freedom from sin. Love is not lust, which leads to unclean behaviours and practices that bring God’s judgment (Ephesians 5:2-7). Love is pure, incorruptible and harmless in thought, feeling, intention, action, disposition, attitude and response. Let us love like Christ and God.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
One language desired and understood by all is love.
THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:
Joshua 11-14
