Key Verse: Verse 13 – “And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity."
Key Words: but the greatest of these is charity
I marvel at the word found in verse 8, “charity never faileth.”
God’s Word gives us at least three things that never fail. They are:
1. God’s Word (Psalm 126:6; Isaiah 55:11);
2. Tears (Psalm 126:6); and
3. Charity (I Corinthians 13:8).
Newspaper columnist and minister George Crane tells of a wife who came into his office full of hatred toward her husband. “I do not only want to get rid of him, I want to get even. Before I divorce him, I want to hurt him as much as he has me.”
Dr. Crane suggested an ingenious plan “Go home and act as if you really love your husband. Tell him how much he means to you. Praise him for every decent trait. Go out of your way to be as kind, considerate, and generous as possible. Spare no efforts to please him, to enjoy him. Make him believe you love him. After you’ve convinced him of your undying love and that you cannot live without him, then drop the bomb. Tell him that you’re getting a divorce. That will really hurt him.” With revenge in her eyes, she smiled and exclaimed, “Beautiful, beautiful. Will he ever be surprised!” And she did it with enthusiasm. Acting “as if.” For two months she showed love, kindness, listening, giving, reinforcing, sharing. When she didn’t return, Crane called. “Are you ready now to go through with the divorce?”
“Divorce?” she exclaimed. “Never! I discovered I really do love him.” Her actions had changed her feelings. Motion resulted in emotion. The ability to love is established not so much by fervent promise as often repeated deeds.
Love works every time. Try it and you will see.
Augustine said, “In essentials, unity. In non-essentials, liberty. In all things, love.” Never forget, “charity
never faileth.”
What to do:
✞ Love much. “Whoever loves much, does much.”
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