2 Peter 1:5-7 "For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love."We talked about the qualities on the list and the order in which they are presented. Does the order matter? I think the majority of the class agreed that the order was intentional and increasing in value. We talked about what a relief it is that we don't have to have it all together the moment that we become a new creation...that there are aspects that we can work on individually and grow into who God wants us to be. We also noted that there is an inward focus that moves outward and the basis for all of it is faith. It wasn't until after class that I realized what was at the top of the list...the greatest of these is love. Sounds familiar, huh?
1 Corinthians 13:13 And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.I have wondered about this verse before. I pull a lot for faith to be the greatest. Faith is, in fact, necessary...essential for life in Christ. Faith brings us into relationship with Him. Faith is...well...the foundation.
The other verse that comes to mind when thinking about love is this one:
1 John 4:16 And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him.Love is the greatest because the source of all love is God. He is love...by definition. The difference between faith and hope and love is two originate from us and one is Him. With the foundation of faith placed in Jesus Christ, I can begin to strip away my sinful man and pursue a holy God. The pinnacle of a Godly pursuit is sincere love. Truly loving people the way God intended is hard. Very hard. It takes goodness, self control, perseverance, kindness...it takes God. The Greatest of not just these...
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