ESOCS Devotional 2 November 2022
TEXT: 1 CORINTHIANS 13:1-13
MEMORY VERSE: “Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels …have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, … have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, … give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing.” 1 Corinthians 13:1-3
0 And the apostles, when they had returned, told Him all that they had done. Then He took them and went aside privately into a deserted place belonging to the city called Bethsaida. 11 But when the multitudes knew it, they followed Him; and He received them and spoke to them about the kingdom of God, and healed those who had need of healing. 12 When the day began to wear away, the twelve came and said to Him, “Send the multitude away, that they may go into the surrounding towns and country, and lodge and get provisions; for we are in a deserted lace ”
Love is the crown of all things: it is the zenith of all virtues. Every other thing comes under it. It is the best driver of all motives or intentions, especially the love that is practised with godly persuasions. No other attribute is like it. It is the only mold into which anyone or anything could be cast and the result or end product would become marvelous more than gold. Anyone who has it is rich in God, His Christ, and His Holy Spirit. Love is of God, and God is love. 1 John 4:16 says, “And we have known and believed the love that God has for us. God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him.”
Apostle Paul teaches us that the different gifts are meaningful only when we practise them with the love of Christ in us. He points out to us that although possessing those gifts are good, the excellent way to worship God is to love Him with a sincere heart. He emphasizes that we should apply the love we have for God and humans as we exercise the gifts in God’s service. The evidence that we love God is often revealed in our attitude and dispositions towards others. Therefore, there is the necessity that we build love in us as a culture.
When we practise true love, it is an indication that we are practising Christ and everything He stands for. While He was here on earth, everything He did was done out of compassion for people. Today and forever, He is very sympathetic with us in our pitiable condition of sin and guilt. He is forever concerned about our spiritual and material wellbeing. On the cross, He put us into consideration above His own comfort. He is always kind-hearted towards us; and He shows us kindness every day of our lives. He cares about us and for us continually. He shows us understanding when we fail in our tempting hours; and treats us with gentleness beyond measure. At all times, He is anxious that we live a holy life to the glory of the Father. His intention is to ensure that we would be with Him in paradise at the end of our sojourn on earth; and escape the fire of hell. All these and many more are the thoughts our Lord has for us – “… the thought of peace [good] and not of evil, to give [us] an expected end [hope and a future]” (Jer. 29:11).
These are the virtues in our Lord Jesus Christ. In John 13:15, He said, “For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you”; and in Matthew 11:29, He counsels us: “…learn from Me …” We should learn from Him and do to others what He has done for us, and still does. He expects us treat others with the same measure of love and kindness that He has shown to us.
CHALLENGES
- To what extent do you love others?
- How strong is the virtue of love in you?
PRAYERS
- Pray the Lord to teach you how to love.
Read Yesterday’s ESOCS Devotional here
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ESOCS Devotional 2 November 2022
