I Corinthians 13

“And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing” (v2).  Paul taught that spiritual gifts should be used for “the common good” (ch 12), and in fact, without love, the gifts are “nothing.” Shockingly, even martyrdom is “nothing” without love (v3).  “Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast …” (v4).  Now, we only glimpse real love “in a mirror dimly,” but one day we will know God’s love “face to face” (v12).

Because God is love, everything will eventually “pass away” except that which is done in love and for love (v8-13).