Love Never Fails

It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. I Corinthians 13:7-8 (NIV)

Everything in life seems to have limits. Take two pills four times a day. When you speed you pay a fine, and after too many tickets you lose your license. Food has expiration dates. Even when we do our best, we will never achieve perfection. Every pursuit in life will fade away at some time. Our Christian walk is limited by our sin. We will never fully understand God's Word or His ways. However, there is one thing that endures forever; love.

There is no maximum capacity for love. Love will never expire. Love exists on such a higher level than any other achievement. Love is never a vain pursuit. Love will never be out of fashion or unnecessary. In eternity we will never cease to love. Love is the greatest!

Today, our society probably confuses love and lust. Unlike love, lust is based on selfish desires and unnatural inclinations. It requires something in return and leaves a vacuum of unfulfilled wishes. Love is directed toward others and allows us to set aside our own desires so that we can give without expecting anything in return. The only way to experience this kind of love is with God's help. The more we become like Christ, the more love we can show to others. There is no limit when we love.

When we examine our ways in our homes, our workplace, and our churches, the most important characteristic of our service should be how we love. Does our love protect? Do we believe well of others unless convinced otherwise? Are we positive and hopeful, or negative and critical? When under assault do we persevere in righteousness and love? Love is the ingredient that is not bound by time and it is never outdated. Love never fails; God is love.

We have never been unloved. This truth is larger than life, yet it is ours when we put our faith in Christ. And, because of His love, we can love. We can never give too much love or grow weary of loving.

Heavenly Father, thank You for giving us perfect love. Help us to pursue love and remember that love never fails.

Janet Stutzman