The Fruit of the Spirit 10 (Prioritizing Love 2)

  

In the previous article, I shared the two reasons from 1 Corinthians 13 why we all need to prioritize love above every other. Today, I will be sharing the third point.

 

“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.” I Corinthians 13:3

 

Naturally, we would think that all the sacrifices mentioned show a display of love. No! Paul pointed out that even though you may give and feed the poor to the extent that you get your body burnt, yet may not be operating in love. Paul said, “Such sacrifice will profit nothing.”

 

When you look at the scripture, you'll see that there is blessedness God has attached to every sacrifice. For instance, Proverbs 22:9 reads, “He who has a generous eye will be blessed, For he gives of his bread to the poor.” Even though many people engage in this sacrifice, namely, helping the poor, they don't receive the blessedness that accompanies it because they don't do it in Love. “And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor… but have not loved, it profits me nothing” (1 Corinthians 13:3).

 

Fast-forward to verse 13:

 “And now abide faith, hope, love, these three, but the greatest of these is love” (I Corinthians 13:13).‬‬

 

Paul mentioned three vital characteristics of enjoying and receiving God’s blessedness, namely, Faith, hope, and love. He added further understanding when he said, “Love is the greatest.”

 

In the body of Christ today, we emphasize how hope and faith are essential graces we must have in receiving God's blessing. But little did we know that love is the greatest.

 

The reason we have not been enjoying God's blessing is not primarily because we don't believe in God or we don't expect him to come through for us. I discovered that many believers engage in Faith and hope. However, this is the revelation, “the reason we have not been enjoying God's blessing over our lives falls chiefly upon the fact that we have not been walking in God's love.” Although this is unpopular, it is the key to enjoying and receiving God's blessing.

 

It is popular to emphasize faith and hope in receiving God's blessing, which is very apt. But much more, Love! That is the reason we must understand what Love is. Else, we cannot walk and live by it.

 

Right now, you can start to receive the “true” and “unfeigned” Love, as Paul through the Holy Spirit has presented it in 1 Corinthians 13. By the grace of God, I shall be expanding it in the subsequent articles. Therefore, be humble to receive God's word—love. It will transform and regenerate you in Jesus' name.

 

“Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up” I Corinthians 13:4‬‬

 

The TPT version translates it this way, “Love is large and incredible patient. “ The word “suffers long” means a lot. It means a state of mind which can bear long when oppressed, provoked, or calumniated and when one seeks to injure us.

 

In the subsequent articles, I shall share insight (from 1 Corinthians 13) into the beautiful expression of love. Love is “large” and unbelievably patient. Therefore, we must have a large heart and be incredibly patient to receive all that I would be sharing.

 

Stay blessed! 


The article was written by Peter Ayoola Fakeye (PAF)

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