The Greatest of These

I Corinthians 13

If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. 3 If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.

4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

8 Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. 9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part, 10 but when completeness comes, what is in part disappears. 11 When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me. 12 For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.

13 And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.

Today I have love on my mind because yesterday was the 16th anniversary of the marriage to my husband. I am often swept away by the world's definition of love... the warm, fuzzy feeling; romance; desire; passion, etc..
But that type of love is selfish and focuses on what makes me feel good. Real love focuses on others. God designed marriage to be a picture of His love for us. Christ as the husband and the church as His bride. I wonder, does my love for my husband reflect the love of Christ? Does my love for others show that I follow the God of love? Do I show patience when my husband frustrates me? Am I kind when I don't get my way? Am I easily angered or keep track of every time I am wronged? Do I always protect my husband? Do I trust him? 

We can have all the gifts of the Spirit and understand all mysteries but don't have love, we have nothing. 

I want my marriage to reflect the love of Christ. I want others to know me by my love, first for my love and respect for my husband and then for the way I love others and put myself last. To sacrifice my will to do the will of My Father. 

Now these three remain: faith, hope, and love. But the greatest of these is love.