“And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.”—1 Cor. 13:13
Love is the greatest of all graces, for it is that which makes the rest of the graces graceful; yea, may we not say, every other grace is an expression of love.
What is mercy, but love compassionating the guilty?
What is kindness, but love ministering to the needy?
What is pity, but love’s thoughtfulness for the suffering?
What is faith, but love’s confidence in the Saviour?
What is hope, but love’s expectation of her Lord?
What is courage, but love’s fortitude in conflict?
What is righteousness, but love’s conformity to GOD’s law?
What is holiness, but love’s imitation of the Divine?
What is joy, but love’s exultation in the Saviour?
What is peace, but love’s repose in the Redeemer?
What is patience, but love’s endurance in the race?
What is meekness, but love’s unselfishness, in giving way to others?
What is prayer, but love’s supplication for the aid of the Almighty?
What is worship, but love’s offering of praise?
What is penitence, but love bewailing her short-comings?
What is justice, but love paying her dues?
What is beneficence, but love distributing her bounties?
What is faithfulness, but love’s fidelity in performing her promises?
What is zeal, but love’s ardor in fulfilling her trust?
What is testimony, but love telling out the glory of the Gospel?
What is fruit, but love’s life manifesting itself?
What is work, but love’s employment in serving the Lord?
So might every trait of Christian life and labour be summarized.
– Love is the backbone of truth,
– Love is the lever of grace,
– Love is the heart of the Gospel,
– Love is the summary of Christianity,
– Love is the motor of true service,
– Love is the meaning of the Cross, and
– Love is the nature of GOD;
therefore, it must have the pre-eminent place, and be like the Beloved, the chiefest among ten thousand, and the altogether lovely.
–F. E. Marsh
