I think that everyone is familiar with 1st Corinthians 13. For those of you who don't, it is considered the "love" chapter. When you are a youth, love means so many different things. You are getting your first "real" boyfriend or girlfriend. You think that the world is going to end if they break up with you and tell you that they don't love you. You are told in church that you are supposed to love everyone, and you can't even fathom the thought of loving that person who bullies you in school or the person who stole the love of your life.
In this chapter, it talks about faith, hope, and love. What is the greatest of these? Love is. Think of all of the sins that you commit. Does God ever stop loving you? No, He does not. When we talk about faith and hope, those are only necessary in this life. When Christ returns and we are living in heaven with Him we will no longer need FAITH because we will see Him and we will be experiencing everything that He has promised us. All of our HOPE will be fulfilled BUT, our LOVE for Him will last for all eternity.
There is an order in which we should love. First and foremost, our love should be directed towards God, next family, then all others. This includes our enemies. Another verse comes to mind when talking about this. In John 13:34 it says, " I give you a new COMMAND: Love one another. Just as I have loved you, you must also love one another. By this all people will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another." The word love is mentioned in that one verse four times. God commands us to love one another.
During the month of February, the month of "love", I urge you to empty yourself of all hatred and fill yourself with love. Ask the Holy Spirit to fill your being and let His light shine through you so that others will see you are one of God's disciples. Show love to that person who picks on you in school or to the person who is spreading rumors about you. This is not only directed at the youth. We adults have enemies also. Remember, as hard as it may seem. God loves them as much as He loves you.
