I forgot about love!

Scripture:
(1 Corinthians 13:1-3) If I could speak all the languages of earth and of angels, but didn't love others, I would only be a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. If I had the gift of prophecy, and if I understood all of God's secret plans and possessed all knowledge, and if I had such faith that I could move mountains, but didn't love others, I would be nothing. If I gave everything I have to the poor and even sacrificed my body, I could boast about it, but if I didn't love others, I would have gained nothing.

Observation:
The Apostle Paul is putting things in perspective for us here. Love is the foundation for our lives. It is because of love that God created us, and it is because of love that Jesus died for us. We were created in the image of God, but if we want to be godly, we must love God and love others as ourselves. Paul recognizes that gifts and knowledge are good but love is better. The Bible teaches us that all gifts and knowledge will cease, but love will last forever.

Application:
I have forgotten this... I have totally screwed up my priorities... I'm guilty of putting knowledge and principles above love. How could I be so foolish? I need to put a huge sign on every wall in my apartment to remind me of this! When you forget about love, you hurt people, your rude and insensitive. When you forget about love you give truth without grace. When you forget about love, pride creeps in and can lead to all kinds of sin. I do a lot of things, that may seem right by principle, but ultimately are not motivated by love.

A while back i made a goal, to read through the entire Bible cover to cover, in a short period of time. I accomplished that goal and I learned a lot, but I started to become what Pastor Steve calls a "Bible Fat Head". I don't want to be a Bible Fat Head, I want to love people and I want the presence of God in my life. It's hard to sense the presence of God when you do things not motivated by love. If God were to deal with me based on principle and truth, I would spend an eternity burning in Hell! I'm so thankful fore the grace of God!

Prayer:
Dear Lord, please forgive me! Dear Lord you are so rich in grace and mercy and unfailing love! Thank you for loving me. Thank you for giving up your life for me. Thank you for reminding me about this love. I pray that I would focus on loving people, and that the things I say would be motivated by love! In Jesus name, Amen!