Monday, November 12, 2012

The Value of Love

1 Cor. 13:8  Love never fails...

Most of us are familiar with the "love" chapter found in 1 Corinthians.  We read it often and usually hear it recited in some form or another at most wedding ceremonies.  Lately, the Holy Spirit has been speaking these three particular words to my heart.  Love never fails.

The Greek word for "fails" is ekpipto.  It literally means to fall off like a leaf or flower.  Paul was writing that, unlike the other spiritual gifts he mentioned, love will never cease to exist.  It will never stop being effective.  It will never fall away like that leaf or flower but rather will always flourish.  The value of love is found in its permanence.  It is not temporary.  It is forever.  Love never runs out or gets used up because it exists in an inexhaustible, endless supply that is incapable of being tried beyond what it can endure or cover.  No matter what, it can not be lost.  Love will never go away.

God is love (1 Jn. 4:8).  The two are synonymous.  How easy, and appropriate, to understand Him in the context of being always flourishing, always effective and always there for us in endless, inexhaustible supply.  God's love for us is forever.  He never fails!


Sock Monkey Snippet:  God's love is forever.