Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Love – 1 Corinthians 13:8-12 – Love Never Fails – Growing As Disciples

Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears.
When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. 1 Corinthians 13:8-12 (NIV)

Childish Ways

That is what I want to be. What’s that? I want to be mature and complete. I want to put childish ways behind me. I am tired of thinking and speaking and acting in ways that are immature. This is a very good desire that you have in you. Do you have any idea how this desire has grown in you? I know exactly how this desire has grown in me. That, I would like to hear. This desire has not come from me. If I was left to myself, I’m pretty sure that I would never grow up. I would keep right on thinking and speaking and acting in childish ways. I would not be happy with that. You would not be happy with that. You have so much more for me than that. You want me to grow up. Yes, I do. I want to grow up. I want what you want. Why do you want what I want? Now, we are getting to the heart of the matter. That is a good choice of words. Yes, I thought so. I want what you want because I love you with all my heart and mind and soul and strength. It is my desire to think and speak and act in ways that please you because I love you. It is no burdensome desire to do what is pleasing to you. It is my joy to think and speak and act in ways that please you. That’s very good.

You know, I can’t take credit for loving you with all my heart and mind and soul and strength. Why is that? I don’t love you because I am responding favorably to your commandments. If disciplined obedience was the basis of my love for you, I would not love you very well. Why do you love me? I love you because you first loved me. I love you because you have allowed me to come to know you. I love you because you have shown me your kindness and mercy and love. You have allowed me to taste your goodness. You have lavished me with your love. The only appropriate response back to you is to love you. I will tell you something else. What’s that? I am so thankful and grateful that you have made me able to love you. There is no other kind of life I would like to live. That’s very good.

I do have a few requests, I would like to mention to you. I’m listening. I would like it if you would help me to come to know you more and more as I love, follow and serve you. I would like it if you would continue to fan this flame of love that I have for you. I would like it if you would help me to continue to put away childish ways of living so that I can more fully love you and others. That’s it? That’s it, for right now. I will hear and answer these prayers of yours. Thank you, Lord.

Lord, I want to be mature and complete. I want to put childish ways behind me. I want to know and love you with all my heart and mind and soul and strength. May your love change and mature all my thoughts and words and deeds as I follow and serve you. Amen 

For today’s complete 4 page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide click here:

Love – 1 Corinthians 13-8-12 – Love Never Fails – 4 Page Discipleship Study Guide

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