OCTOBER 8 - THE GREATEST VIRTUE
READ 1 Corinthians 13
Love is the greatest virtue that all Christians should exhibit.
INSIGHT
Throughout the Bible, love is clearly considered the supreme virtue. Both Jesus and Paul teach that the greatest Christian virtue is love. However, it is not always easy to measure love, especially because our culture has such a distorted concept of what love is. Many people think that love is simply an emotion. We may think that if we don't feel "warm and fuzzy," we don't love. While emotions certainly may be attached to Biblical love, love is primarily an act of the will. And God commands us to love. If you exhibit the qualities listed in today's chapter, you are loving regardless of your emotions.
PRAYER
Thank the Lord and praise Him that He loves us with the same love He asks from us:
Hallelujah!
Give praise, servants of the Lord;
Praise the name of the Lord.
Let the name of the Lord be blessed
Both now and forever.
From the rising of the sun to its setting,
Let the name of the Lord be praised.
The Lord is exalted above all the nations,
His glory above the heavens
(Psalm 113:1-4).
Pause for praise and thanksgiving. Now pray this confession to the Lord as you seek to keep your life free from sin and in fellowship with Him:
Then Samuel said:
Does the Lord take pleasure
In burnt offerings and sacrifices
As much as in obeying the Lord?
Look: to obey is better than sacrifice,
To pay attention is better than the fat of rams
(1 Samuel 15:22).
Confess any sins that the Holy Spirit brings to your mind, and pray this affirmation to the Lord:
For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is going to be revealed to us (Romans 8:18).
As you make your requests known to the Lord, include:
Finally, offer this prayer to the Lord:
May the words of my mouth
And the meditation of my heart
Be acceptable to you,
Lord, my rock and my Redeemer
(Psalm 19:14).
Love is the greatest virtue that all Christians should exhibit.
INSIGHT
Throughout the Bible, love is clearly considered the supreme virtue. Both Jesus and Paul teach that the greatest Christian virtue is love. However, it is not always easy to measure love, especially because our culture has such a distorted concept of what love is. Many people think that love is simply an emotion. We may think that if we don't feel "warm and fuzzy," we don't love. While emotions certainly may be attached to Biblical love, love is primarily an act of the will. And God commands us to love. If you exhibit the qualities listed in today's chapter, you are loving regardless of your emotions.
PRAYER
Thank the Lord and praise Him that He loves us with the same love He asks from us:
Hallelujah!
Give praise, servants of the Lord;
Praise the name of the Lord.
Let the name of the Lord be blessed
Both now and forever.
From the rising of the sun to its setting,
Let the name of the Lord be praised.
The Lord is exalted above all the nations,
His glory above the heavens
(Psalm 113:1-4).
Pause for praise and thanksgiving. Now pray this confession to the Lord as you seek to keep your life free from sin and in fellowship with Him:
Then Samuel said:
Does the Lord take pleasure
In burnt offerings and sacrifices
As much as in obeying the Lord?
Look: to obey is better than sacrifice,
To pay attention is better than the fat of rams
(1 Samuel 15:22).
Confess any sins that the Holy Spirit brings to your mind, and pray this affirmation to the Lord:
For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is going to be revealed to us (Romans 8:18).
As you make your requests known to the Lord, include:
- Greater love for fellow Christians
- The work of missions in Europe and Asia
- Whatever else is on your heart
Finally, offer this prayer to the Lord:
May the words of my mouth
And the meditation of my heart
Be acceptable to you,
Lord, my rock and my Redeemer
(Psalm 19:14).
A Dogwood Church Discipleship Ministry Resource. © Walk Thru the Bible 2025.