The Greatest is Love

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 13: 3-7
Love never gives up.
Love cares more for others than for self.
Love doesn't want what it doesn't have.
Love doesn't strut,
Doesn't have a swelled head,
Doesn't force itself on others,
Isn't always "me first,"
Doesn't fly off the handle,
Doesn't keep score of the sins of others,
Doesn't revel when others grovel,
Takes pleasure in the flowering of truth,
Puts up with anything,
Trusts God always,
Always looks for the best,
Never looks back,
But keeps going to the end.

Observation: The selflessness of love is very evident in this passage. We find here a truly selfless illustration in which the emphasis is taken off of me and placed elsewhere. Can we love the way that scripture leads without putting self aside. No.

Application: Putting others first, ahead of oneself is extremely difficult. It is probably the hardest thing to do because we are such "me first" people. It takes a concisience effort to put aside oneself. It is not natural and so we must make a decision to do just that. How am I going to apply this scripture to my life? By making choices which demonstrate love, by putting others first.

Prayer: Almighty God, you have called us to love in the way that you have demonstrated for us through your Son. Yet, we as humans have such a hard and difficult time doing that. I ask for your strength to love in ways that make no sense according to worldly standards but bring you honor and glory. Amen