July 22

The greatest of these is charity. — 1 Cor 13:13

Love is the greatest of all the Spirit’s gifts.

The power to love is the best of all the powers God has bestowed upon us. The lesson of love is taught us in this chapter in words we should memorize and never forget. “Love suffereth long, and is kind.” Love is very patient with those who may not be gentle or thoughtful.

Nothing makes it bitter or resentful. It is kind, not to the good only, but also to the evil. “Love envieth not; love vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, doth not behave itself unseemly.” It is humble and lowly, not proud. It is not envious of those who seem to be more highly favored. It is sweet–tempered, does not fly into a passion, and never acts rudely. “Love seeketh not its own, is not provoked, taketh not account of evil.”

It forgets self altogether, and seeks only the good of others. It sees the good in others, and not the faults and defects. It does not rejoice in the failure or misfortune of others, but in their success. It beareth all things, endureth all things – never faileth.