February is widely celebrated as the “love month.”
From Valentine’s Day to various expressions of affection, people around the world dedicate this month to celebrating love in its many forms. But as followers of Christ, we are reminded that love is more than just a fleeting feeling or a romantic gesture.
Love is at the core of our faith and identity as Christians.
In 1 Corinthians 13:13, the Apostle Paul concludes his discourse on love by declaring: “And now these three remain: faith, hope, and love. But the greatest of these is love.”
Why is love one of the three that remains? And why does Paul say that love is the greatest?
First, love reflects God’s nature.
The Bible tells us in 1 John 4:8, “God is love.” Love is not just an attribute of God; it is His very essence. Faith and hope are responses to who God is and what He promises, but love is intrinsic to God’s character.
When we love, we reflect the very nature of God. Paul emphasizes in 1 Corinthians 13 that without love, even the most extraordinary acts of faith or hope are meaningless. Love is the ultimate expression of God in us.
Second, love endures beyond faith and hope.
Faith and hope are vital in this life because they anchor us to God’s promises and sustain us in trials. But faith will one day become sight, and hope will be fulfilled in eternity.
Revelation 21:4 reminds us of the time when all things will be made new, and there will be no more need for faith and hope as we stand in God’s presence.
However, love will remain forever. Love is eternal because it is rooted in God, who is eternal. In heaven, love will be the language of our worship and the bond of our unity.
Practice love now as a preparation for eternity. Love your neighbor, forgive offenses, and build relationships grounded in God’s love.
Third, love transforms lives.
Love is the greatest because it has the power to transform. Jesus Himself demonstrated this by laying down His life for us out of love (John 15:13).
Through love, hearts are softened, relationships are restored, and lives are changed.
Faith and hope sustain us, but love drives us to action. As Paul describes in 1 Corinthians 13:4-7, love is patient, kind, and selfless. These attributes of love have the power to break down barriers and bring healing to a broken world.
As we celebrate February as the “love month,” let us remember that love is more than a seasonal theme; it is the heartbeat of our faith.
Love reflects God’s nature, endures beyond faith and hope, and has the power to transform lives. | NWI
