LOVE - The Greatest of These
LOVE - The
Greatest of These
WHY IS DIVINE LOVE THE GREATEST OF ALL THINGS?
We recently studied GODLINESS, which was defined as having the image of God. God is Love and it is the greatest of all things. There was a related question answered by Jesus: “Master, which is the great commandment in the law?” In summary, the answer is Love towards God and our fellow men.
1. The first three verses of our text reveal that many good things can be absolutely worthless without love—the Christlike kind of love. List these good qualities opposite the verses below.
1 Corinthians 13:1 1 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.
1 Corinthians 13:2 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, and have not charity, I am nothing.
1 Corinthians 13:3 3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.
Speaking in tongues, gift of prophecy, faith, giving are good virtues
Doing all these would be futile unless divine love of God prompted it
Good works good, but not enough - It must have spiritual foundation
The motives and exercise must be divine-love driven and controlled
- Tongues without charity - Sounding brass - Noise making
- Prophecy, understanding & faith without charity - Nothing (empty/vain)
- Giving without charity - loss (no profit/benefit/blessing)
In essence, love is not just something we do, it is what makes everything we do worth anything at all.
Revelation 2:2–4 “I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil... Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.”
Galatians 5:6 “For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love.”
Romans 13:8, 10 “Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law... Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.”
“Without love, eloquence is noise, knowledge is emptiness, sacrifice is vanity, and faith is lifeless.”
“The greatest deeds lose their value when the motive is not love. Heaven measures worth not by magnitude of action, but by the presence of divine love within it.”
“Charity is not one virtue among many; it is the lifeblood of all virtue.”
“No amount of speaking, knowing, or giving can make up for the absence of love; for love is the essence of God Himself.”
“A man may empty his pockets to feed the poor, yet if his heart is empty of love, heaven records no profit.”
“The truest test of spirituality is not how gifted or sacrificial we are, but how Christlike our love is.”
“Good works done without love are like beautiful flowers without fragrance—impressive to the eye, but lifeless to the soul.”
Do a “gifts audit”:
List each gift or act you regularly perform (speech, gifts to others, service, knowledge, faith, sacrifice).
-Write a short note after each instance describing whether love motivated the action and how it benefited others.
Was there unintended self-focus? How could love be shown more clearly in that moment?
Partner with a friend or mentor to review your motives monthly. Pray for God to grow genuine love in your heart so that your gifts serve others and glorify Him.
Are there recurring motivations (pride, recognition, control) that need to be surrendered to love?
"Shout of hallelujah!" without spiritual backing - Exercise for show/to impress
Theology knowledge without Salvation – half truths or false doctrines
Great faith in secular things - brings present advantage, without eternal gain
Philanthropic nature – earthly gifts without eternal benefits
Many actions of modern society accomplished from selfish point of view are of no eternal benefit
Carnality will negate the whole process/exercise
Matthew 6:1–2 “Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven.
Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.”
Luke 18:10–12 “Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican.
The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are… I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess.”
Acts 5:1–4 “But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession,
And kept back part of the price, his wife also being privy to it, and brought a certain part, and laid it at the apostles’ feet.”
“It is possible to do good things without doing them in the right spirit.”
“Good deeds without love are often driven by ambition, not compassion.”
“A man may speak like an angel and act like a saint, yet if love is not the motive, he is only making noise in the courts of heaven.”
“One may give without loving, but one cannot love without giving.”
“The heart of man is capable of imitating goodness while missing its essence—divine love.”
“Without divine love, philanthropy can be pride in disguise, and sacrifice can be self-seeking.”
“There is a love that acts for applause and a love that acts from the cross; only the latter is of God.”
“Good works that spring from self-interest, duty, or vanity are but painted fruits—appealing to sight, yet lifeless and tasteless.”
“There is a world of difference between doing good and being loving.
The first can be learned by imitation; the second only by transformation through Christ.”
Love gives purpose and integrity to our acts:
- Love realigns our gifts so they serve others and honor God. With love, even strong gifts are disciplined, patient, and constructive; without love, they are not only empty but potentially self-serving.
Motive audit for communication:
Record every significant conversation or message where you use a strong skill (speech, persuasion, teaching, etc.).
Note your motive: Is love for the other person, or for recognition, control, or personal gain?
How did love shape your tone, content, and listener response? What adjustments would keep love central next time?
Track acts of generosity. Before giving, write a quick intention statement: “I give this to bless, not to boast.” After giving, reflect on whether the outcome honored the recipient’s dignity and needs.
Did you find yourself seeking praise or approval? How can you give in a way that prioritizes the other person’s good over your own recognition?
Divine love-filled testimonies become instrument of soul winning
Prophecy: God’s deep treasures revealed to those who seek & serve with love
Greatest faith belongs to those who have deepest love and trust in God
Most beneficial giving of one’s substance is that which is motivated from the standpoint of loving one another as God has loved us
Vertical love towards God sustains the horizontal love for others
Motivation - Loving as God has loved us
Speaking with love: Bless, Correct, Guide, Instruct... as oracles of God
Prophecy & Knowledge with Godliness - God's mind revealed
Giving - Love driven and value addition, no hidden cost or ulterior motives
The merits of these qualities when divine love is present are limitless
1 Peter 4:8 “And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins.”
Ephesians 4:15–16 “But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:
From whom the whole body fitly joined together... maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.”
John 13:34–35 “A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.
By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.”
Romans 13:10 “Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.”
“When love fills the heart, even the smallest act becomes great in the eyes of God.”
“Knowledge with love becomes wisdom; faith with love becomes power; sacrifice with love becomes worship.”
“Love is the sanctifying principle that gives true worth to every gift and grace.”
“When love motivates, all other virtues shine with the beauty of heaven.”
“Love gives value to faith, depth to knowledge, warmth to generosity, and life to sacrifice.”
“Where divine love dwells, gifts are no longer tools for pride, but instruments for blessing.”
“Without love, good qualities are mere shadows; with love, they reflect the very light of God.”
“All gifts find their true glory only when clothed in divine love.
Love gives meaning to faith, value to service, and beauty to sacrifice.
Without it, we are nothing; with it, everything we do becomes something in God’s sight.”
Divine love transforms outward gifts into spiritual value:
-When love is present, eloquence becomes edifying and truthful, not just impressive noise.
-Love moderates speech so it builds others, reflects humility, and speaks truth in love.
-With love, insight is used for the good of others, expressed with patience, mercy, and a desire for righteousness, not for personal prestige.
-Faith exercised in love is steadfast, selfless, and yields welfare for others, not for self-exaltation.
-With love, generosity and sacrifice become transformative and dignifying for recipients, aligning with God’s justice and mercy.
Love suffereth long . . . Beareth all things
And is kind
Love envieth not (Clue: think positive)
Love vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up
Doth not behave itself unseemly
Seeketh not her own
Is not easily provoked
Thinketh no evil
Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth
Believeth all things
Hopeth all things
Endureth all things
5 Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;
6 Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth;
7 Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.
Synonym: Patient, kind, content, humble, courteous, unselfish, even-tempered, fair, sincere, trusting, hopeful, long-suffering...
Elimination of any of the above makes divine love incomplete
However, it is possible to have a measure of these elements without divine love
The love of Christ in us enables us to practice them through divine love
Evidence/Applications: When situations arise for them, how do you measure up?
Galatians 5:22–23 “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.”
James 2:14–17, 20, 26 “What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?
If a brother or sister be naked, and one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled... and ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit?
Faith without works is dead... For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.”
2 Peter 1:5–7 “And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge;
And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness;
And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.”
“Patience without divine love becomes mere endurance; kindness without divine love becomes sentiment; humility without divine love becomes self-display.”
“Human goodness can mimic the traits of love, but only divine love gives them eternal life and heavenly fragrance.”
“Divine love is the breath of every true virtue; remove it, and the virtue dies.”
“Patience becomes resentment suppressed, and kindness becomes mere courtesy, when not rooted in Christlike love.”
“Unselfishness without divine love may still seek admiration; humility without divine love may still hide pride.”
“Without divine love, even sincerity can turn to self-righteousness, and hope to mere optimism.”
“The virtues of patience, kindness, humility, and hope are like instruments in an orchestra—only when divine love conducts them do they produce heavenly harmony.”
Let Christlike love shape every interaction:
In daily conversations, work environments, and family life, prioritize patience, kindness, humility, and truth-telling. Choose actions that reflect love rather than self-interest.
Observe one interaction per day and note which of the 13 elements were most needed. Write a brief note on how you expressed (or failed to express) the virtue in that moment.
Where did patience or kindness show up? Where did envy or self-focus appear? How could love have reoriented the outcome?
Superior to prophecies, tongues and knowledge
Divine love excels because it never fails (others will cease and end)
Prophecies, tongues and knowledge were important to early church & today, however all these would cease
They would be of little use after here, in eternity
Love is the fulfilment of the law
Anything done without divine love amounts to zero
God is love - God loves and honors love
Meaningful service/Worship is divine-love driven
1. It is eternal – 1 Corinthians 13:8
2. It fulfils all law – Romans 13:10
3. It reflects God’s nature – 1 John 4:8
4. It identifies true disciples – John 13:35
5. It perfects all virtues – Colossians 3:14
6. It redeems and forgives – 1 Peter 4:8
7. It is the foundation of all commandments – Matthew 22:37–40
8. It fills the believer with God’s fullness – Ephesians 3:19
Matthew 22:37–40 “Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.
This is the first and great commandment.
And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.”
John 13:34–35 “A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.
By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.”
Colossians 3:14 “And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.”
1 Peter 4:8 “And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins.”
Ephesians 3:17–19 “That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,
May be able to comprehend... what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height;
And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.”
1 John 3:14 “We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death.”
“Prophecy tells of God’s will, tongues proclaim His works, knowledge perceives His ways, but love reveals His nature.”
“Love is superior not because it accomplishes more, but because it endures forever. The gifts are fragments of divine grace; love is the fullness of it.
When all else fades, love will still be speaking the language of heaven.”
Prioritize love as the enduring motive and standard:
When you serve, communicate, or teach, aim to demonstrate lasting values—patience, kindness, humility—rather than seeking spectacular displays of ability.
- Was the action motivated by love?
- How did love shape the outcome beyond the gift itself?
- Did love contribute to edification, humility, and unity? Did you resist using the gift for self-display?
- In every significant conversation, first ask: Is my aim to edify and help the other person, or to showcase my ability? Choose to Edify and help
- How did this shift affect understanding, conflict resolution, and relationships?
Now we see through a glass, darkly – our visions are not yet total
Thinking about eternity and eternal matters are much important
We would understand it better by and by
Now, we know in part, even at the best – we are still limited
God knows best - All inclusive - Let God
"Now is the process and inputs of "then" - Watch what you are "now"
"Then" is bigger than "now" – Progressive – Bigger picture and vision
“NOW” and “THEN” are both important in our walk and work with God
(make the best use of both but look forward to the greater “THEN”
1 John 3:2 “Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.”
Job 19:25–27 “For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth:
And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God:
Whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another.”
2 Corinthians 3:18 “But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.”
John 17:24 “Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world.”
Philippians 3:12 “Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.”
“Now is the season of faith; then will be the vision of full understanding.”
“In this life, we see God’s truth as in a dim mirror; in the next, we shall see His face in radiant light.”
“Now we walk by faith through shadows; then we shall walk by sight in glory.”
“What we know now is a whisper of what we shall know then, when all mysteries will stand revealed in the light of God’s love.”
“The mirror of time gives us reflections; eternity will show us realities.”
“Now we know God’s ways by trust; then we shall know His heart by sight.”
“Now we see love’s effects; then we shall behold love Himself.”
“Then” speaks of eternal perfection, when all confusion, pain, and limitation will vanish in the presence of Christ. The transition from ‘now’ to ‘then’ is the journey of faith perfected by love.
“The mysteries that puzzle us now will one day be melodies of praise—when faith becomes sight, and love remains forever.”
“Then face to face” – points to the perfect, direct vision of God in eternity.
In this life, our knowledge, holiness, and love are growing but incomplete; in eternity, they will be perfect, full, and face-to-face with God Himself.
Lesson 2: Live by faith and trust God with the rest:
Prioritize conduct that honors God and blesses others, even when you lack complete knowledge about outcomes.
Maintain integrity, seek correction, and be willing to adjust as God reveals more.
Faith and hope have very important part in serving God – We need it to please God
Divine love is necessary for our spiritual life here and eternity - Preparations
The love we have for God will increase when we see Him face to face
Love towards others: Empathy, Self-love extended to others
Divine Love: Fulfilment of the law (towards God and man)
Divine Love: by divine love we resemble God; and by it alone are we qualified to enjoy Heaven and be one with Him throughout eternity.
Hope anticipates God’s future.
Love reflects God’s nature and never fails, even in eternity.
When faith has reached its goal and hope has been fulfilled, love will remain the eternal bond between God and His people.
“Faith will one day be sight, hope will be fulfilled, but love will never end.”
“Faith and hope are for the journey; love is for both the journey and the destination.”
“Love is supreme because it never ceases; it is the perfection toward which all other virtues aspire.”
“Faith trusts God’s promises, hope anticipates them, but love enjoys God Himself.”
“In heaven, there will be no need to believe or to hope—but there will always be love, for love is the life of God shared with His redeemed.”
Love-driven decision audit:
- Before significant decisions or conversations, write a quick note: “This is done in love for the good of others and God’s glory.”
Reflect weekly on whether love truly guided outcomes more than personal preferences or pride.
Did love improve relationships, reduce conflict, or promote unity?
CONCLUSION:
1. Love divine, all loves excelling,
Joy of Heav'n to Earth come down,
Fix in us thy humble dwelling,
All thy faithful mercies crown;
Jesus, thou art all compassion,
Pure, unbounded love thou art;
Visit us with thy salvation,
Enter ev'ry trembling heart.
2. Breathe, O breathe thy loving Spirit
Into ev'ry troubled breast;
Let us all in thee inherit,
Let us find thy promised rest;
Take away our love of sinning;
Alpha and Omega be;
End of faith as its beginning,
Set our hearts at liberty.
3. Come, Almighty to deliver;
Let us all thy grace receive;
Suddenly return, and never,
Never more thy temples leave.
Thee we would be always blessing,
Serve thee as thy host above,
Pray, and praise thee without ceasing,
Glory in thy perfect love.
4. Finish, then, thy new creation;
Pure and spotless let us be;
Let us see thy great salvation
Perfectly restored in thee;
Changed from glory into glory
Till in Heav'n we take our place,
Till we cast our crowns before thee,
Lost in wonder, love, and praise!
Apostolic Faith Mission of Portland Oregon - SEARCH 63
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