“Love gets us to God and unites us with God.”
Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today – February 21, 2025
Three things will last forever—faith, hope, and love—and the greatest of these is love. 1 Corinthians 13:13
Faith, Hope, and Love are a strong lineup. So, out of this trilogy of virtues, how is it that love is the greatest? The theologian Thomas Aquinas argues that charity is the most excellent virtue because it unites us directly to God, whereas faith and hope orient us toward God but do not affect this union in the same immediate way. Aquinas states: “Charity is the most excellent of the virtues. Faith knows truth about God; hope aspires to good in God; charity attains God himself simply, and not as having something to gain from him.” Love gets us to God and unites us with God.
Faith is how we grasp the truth about God, even when we can’t see Him with our eyes. Think about it: we trust in God’s promises and character because He’s revealed Himself through His Word and creation. Hebrews 11:1 describes faith as “confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.” Faith goes beyond facts—believing that God is who He says He is and will do what He promises. Through faith, we know His truth: He is loving, just, and always faithful. This trust in divine truth shapes our lives, giving us the confidence to step forward, even when the path ahead is uncertain. Faith anchors us in His love.
Hope is like a steady light that keeps us moving forward, no matter how dark things seem. It lifts our eyes from today’s struggles to tomorrow’s promises. Hope in the Lord isn’t wishful thinking—it’s a confident expectation rooted in His character and faithfulness. It reminds us that He is working all things for our good (Romans 8:28). This hope inspires us to pursue what’s good, knowing His plans are perfect. Whether striving to love better, forgive deeper, or grow in faith, hope gives us the courage to aspire to the good God calls us to. It keeps our hearts focused, pushing us to live purposefully as we trust His promises. Hope promotes love.
Love is the greatest and purest way we connect with God because it seeks Him for who He is, not for what He can give. When we love God, we aren’t chasing blessings or solutions to our problems—we’re drawn to His heart, character, and presence. It’s like loving a dear friend or family member not for favors they do but simply because of the joy they bring to your life. This is how love attains God Himself. When we love God with all our hearts, souls, and minds (Matthew 22:37), we experience the fullness of who He is—His peace, His joy, and His infinite goodness. Love isn’t transactional; it’s relational. It draws us into intimacy with God, where we can rest in His presence. We find our true purpose and deepest satisfaction in loving Him simply and fully, reflecting His love for the world. Love is the greatest joyfully accompanied by its children’s faith and hope. The greatest command to love God offers the greatest virtue—love.
If your heart desires to be great for God, then be loved greatly by the Father, Son, and Spirit. Expand your capacity to love and then grow love in the Kingdom of Heaven. Great comes with loving great, and loving great comes from being loved great. I’ll leave you with this Karl Barth quote, “God’s love is His essence, and as such, it is the source and criterion of all human love.”
Prayer
Lord, thank You for showing me that love is the greatest. Help me love You wholeheartedly and love others selflessly, reflecting Your grace and truth in all I do. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Application
How does love inform your faith in God and hope in the future?
Related Reading
John 15:13; Colossians 3:14; 1 Peter 4:8; 1 John 4:8
Worship Resource
Micah Tyler feat. Emerson Day: People Like Us
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