God’s love = our identity

1 Corinthians 13:13b

“But the greatest of these is love.”

Would we agree that the world is intrigued by the notion of “love”? I think that’s fair. Just think of all the popular songs about “love” or the many movies which are about “love.” And God says that “love” is the greatest!

But what kind of love is he talking about? Is that mooshy-gooshy, butterflies-in-the-stomach kind of love? Or is it something more?

Listen to how God uses that word “love” in other places. “God is love.” “God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son…” “God demonstrates his love to us in this, that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” What kind of “love” is this? It’s a purposeful love of the will! You and I weren’t so attractive to God that he “fell in love” with us. Rather, we looked awful in God’s eyes! We are impatient, unkind, boastful, selfish, proud, rude, etc. Ugly!

Yet what did God choose to do? He chose to love us. And how much? So much that he sent his own Son to die for us. And that love for us will remain throughout all eternity. No wonder God calls it “the greatest”.

Thankful for God’s great love, just like you,

pastor