Scripture: “And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.” – 1 Corinthians 13:13
Examination: Paul describes the characteristics of a love that can only come from God. He is explaining that while there are various gifts that God gives to believers, the greatest gift we can have, and share, is His love in us.
Application: The 13th chapter of 1 Corinthians is often called “The Love Chapter” of the Bible. Many of its verses explain “charity” as a love that only can come from God. This is sometimes referred to as “agape” love, and means a sacrificial, selfless, divine love as seen in the Lord Jesus Christ. Here are the characteristics of the charity (love) of God.
- “Charity suffereth long…” (v4)
- “The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” – 2 Peter 3:9
- “… is kind…” (v4)
- “The LORD hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee.” – Jeremiah 31:3
- “Charity envieth not;” (v4)
- “He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?” – Romans 8:32
- “Charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,” (v4)
- “And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.” – Philippians 2:8
- “Doth not behave itself unseemly…” (v5)
- “The LORD is righteous in all his ways, and holy in all his works.” – Psalm 145:17
- “… seeketh not her own…” (v5)
- “For even Christ pleased not himself; but, as it is written, The reproaches of them that reproached thee fell on me.” – Romans 15:3
- “… is not easily provoked…” (v5)
- “The LORD is gracious, and full of compassion; slow to anger, and of great mercy.” – Psalm 145:8
- “… thinketh no evil;” (v5)
- “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.” – Jeremiah 29:11
- “Rejoiceth not in iniquity…” (v6)
- “For thou art not a God that hath pleasure in wickedness: neither shall evil dwell with thee.” – Psalm 5:4
- “…but rejoiceth in the truth;” (v6)
- “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” – John 14:6
- “Beareth all things…” (v7)
- “And even to your old age I am he; and even to hoar hairs will I carry you: I have made, and I will bear; even I will carry, and will deliver you.” – Isaiah 46:4
- “…believeth all things…” (v7)
- “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.” – Ephesians 2:10
- “…hopeth all things…” (v7)
- “Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.” – Romans 15:13
- “…endureth all things.” (v7)
- “I know that, whatsoever God doeth, it shall be for ever: nothing can be put to it, nor any thing taken from it: and God doeth it, that men should fear before him.” – Ecclesiastes 3:14
- “Charity never faileth…” (v8)
- “For with God nothing shall be impossible.” – Luke1:37
Stop for just a moment and consider this. When God says He loves us with an everlasting love, this list is what it encompasses. This is the “agape” love that He has for you and for me.
Memory Verse: “This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.” – John 15:12
Jesus loves me, this I know, for the Bible tells me so.
Little ones to him belong; they are weak, but he is strong.
Yes, Jesus loves me! Yes, Jesus loves me!
Yes, Jesus loves me! The Bible tells me so.
(from “Jesus Loves Me” by Anna Bartlett Warner)