Mar 01 – Love One Another!

And though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing” (1 Corinthians 13:2).

Many preachers strongly emphasize that faith is the greatest virtue in the world. They declare that all things are possible to the one who believes. By faith, even mountains can be moved. They proclaim that our faith is the victory that overcomes the world.

Indeed, faith is absolutely essential. At the same time, we must never forget the importance of love. The apostle Paul places faith, hope, and love side by side and raises the question—which of these is the greatest? If anyone were to ask me that question, I would not hesitate for even a second to answer: love is the greatest (1 Corinthians 13:13).

On one occasion, a lawyer came to Jesus and asked, “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the law?” In those days, not only did Israel have the Ten Commandments, but Jewish rabbis had also formulated around 3,600 regulations. These are recorded in the Jewish sacred writings such as the Talmud.

In response, Jesus immediately said: “You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.” “You shall love your neighbour as yourself” (Matthew 22:37, 39). He also added: “On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets” (Matthew 22:40).

We read in Ephesians 5:25 that Christ loved us not only as individuals but also the whole church. The church is the fellowship of redeemed believers. The Lord purchased the church with His own blood (Acts 20:28). Just as a bridegroom loves his bride, Christ loves the church. Moreover, through the church, He earnestly desires to reveal His love even to the Gentiles.

Once, I read a prayer in a Christian magazine: “O loving God! How greatly You have loved us! You have taught us to love one another. Yet we, Your children, have chosen hostility instead of love, division instead of affection, stubbornness instead of yielding, jealousy and irritation instead of tenderness. O God, change this condition and fill us with Your glorious love. Bind us together with the cord of love and draw us close to You.”

Dear children of God, what a beautiful prayer!

Verse for further meditation: “With all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” (Ephesians 4:2, 3).