Title: The Greatest Commandment
Memorize: He who does not love does not know God, for God is love. 1 John 4:8 (Nkjv)
Bible Reading: 1 Corinthians 13:1-8 (Nkjv)
[1] Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal.
[2] And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.
[3] And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing.
[4] Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up;
[5] does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil;
[6] does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth;
[7] bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
[8] Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away.
Message:
According to the Bible, love sums up all the commandments of God (Matthew 22:36-40). Today’s Bible reading makes us understand that no spiritual activity can equate to love. The essence of Christianity is the love of God, demonstrated by giving up His Son for our redemption. Hence, showing love to others is a true reflection of our union with God.
In many passages of the Bible, the importance of love as the greatest Christian virtue is emphasised. Love is the golden scale by which the gifts of the Spirit are measured. Without love, a fellow’s gifts of healing. performing miracles, interpreting tongues, giving, faith, et cetera, have no basis in God.
My dear child, if you have the love of God in your heart, you will willingly obey His commandments. Also, everything you do for others will be based on your love for them, not because you’re obliged to do those things. Furthermore, when you love someone, you won’t speak ill of him or her to others. Ultimately, love will bring you peace with all men and women, and the God of love and peace will always be with you.
Key Point:
Love is the most important virtue that a Christian can exhibit.
Hymn 70: God Sent His Son, They Called Him Jesus
1 God sent His son,
They called Him, Jesus;
He came to love,
Heal and forgive;
He lived and died
To buy my pardon,
An empty grave is there
To prove my Savior lives!
Chorus
Because He lives,
I can face tomorrow!
Because He lives,
All fear is gone.
Because I know
He holds the future,
And life is worth the living,
Just because He lives!
2 How sweet to hold
A newborn baby,
And feel the pride
And joy he brings;
But greater still
The calm assurance:
This child can face
Uncertain days because He Lives!
3 And then one day,
I’ll cross the river,
I’ll fight life’s final
War with pain;
And then, as death
Gives way to victory,
I’ll see the lights of glory
And I’ll know He lives!
Bible In One YearDeuteronomy 2-4
Authors: Pastor E. A. Adeboye and Pastor Folu Adeboye