why is love the greatest?

-By Andrew Dikas

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

-1 Corinthians 13:13

The essence of God's character is love. The Word of God literally says that "God is Love" (1 John 4:16). Love is what motivates His actions and defines His being (Exodus 34:6; John 3:16; Romans 5:8; 2 Cor 13:11). Love is the greatest virtue because to love is to know God ultimately and do His ultimate will. Faith believes what God says. Faith enables us to come to God (Heb 11:6), but love enables us to Imitate Him. "Therefore be imitators of God as dear children. And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma" (Eph 5:1-2). Believers are to follow the example of God's actions. He loved us when we were still His enemies. As imitators, believers should demonstrate that type of self-sacrificial love. This is possible because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts (Romans 5:5). And God continues to pour out His eternal love upon us each day. 

"But each day the Lord pours his unfailing love upon me, and through each night I sing his songs, praying to God who gives me life. (Psalms 42:8). 

You see, the church at Corinth was full of true blood-bought saints (1 Cor 1:2; 6:11 ). But they lacked true love for God and one another. They made claims of spiritual superiority over one another, suing one another in public courts, abusing the communal meal, and sexual misbehavior. Paul wrote to demand higher ethical and moral standards. The apostle ultimately wrote to "show them a more excellent way." While they were battling over spiritual gifts and prominence, Paul encouraged them to pursue the greatest gift, LOVE. Paul wanted the church to be led by and filled with love (1 Timothy 1:5). As believers, if we miss this, we miss everything. Paul warns us in Galatians 5:6, saying that the only thing that matters is faith expressing itself in love. It's God's will that His people are filled by His love and therefore naturally spill out on others (1 John 4:9-12). 

Lastly, Paul prayed that we would be empowered by God's Eternal love... 

I pray that from His glorious, unlimited resources He will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit. Then Christ will make His home in your hearts as you trust in Him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong. And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep His love is. May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then, you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God. Now all glory to God, who is able, through His mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. Glory to him in the church and in Christ Jesus through all generations forever and ever! Amen. (Ephesians 3:16‭-‬21)

Paul said that God's love would make us strong and complete with all the fullness of life. His love will make us whole. His love will make us mature. His love will make miracles happen. His love will cause the glory to fall. His love will bring forth forgiveness, reconciliation and unity. His love will cause us to become the best and highest version of ourselves. His love will make us a blessing to this generation and humanity. Let us give thanks to the Lord, for His love endures forever.  

Prayer: Lord, to You alone belongs eternal praise. Your Name be honored, forever as Holy. You are great and greatly to be praised... Thank you for Your unfailing love, grace and mercy. Thank You for giving us new life in the Holy Spirit. Purify me and fill me with Your eternal love. Let me be your hands and feet on the Earth. Use me for Your glory. In Jesus Name, Amen. 

Additional Bible Verses:

May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. -2 Corinthians 13:14

Finally, believers, rejoice! Be made complete [be what you should be], be comforted, be like-minded, live in peace [enjoy the spiritual well-being experienced by believers who walk closely with God]; and the God of love and peace [the source of lovingkindness] will be with you. -2 Corinthians 13:11

You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength. -Deuteronomy 6:5 

I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. -Galatians 2:20 

To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood, and has made us kings and priests to His God and Father, to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. -Revelation 1:5‭-‬6

Peace be to the brothers and sisters, and love joined with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Grace be with all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with undying and incorruptible love. -Ephesians 6:23-24

Heavenly Father, bless every reader, in Jesus' Name. Amen