1 Cor 13:8 Love never fails…
Love is an amazing force that consistently, without fail, does what is in its nature. This little verse comes as a summary statement after a long list of amazing qualities that illustrate love’s virtue. If we also understand that true love is a manifestation of the person of God then the idea that it always does, without fail, what is in line with its character is believable, or easier for us to relate to. God never fails; God is love, so love never fails.
One literal way for us to look at this amazing little statement is to translate the verse, “love is never driven off its course.” Jesus Christ has revealed the love of God in the choices and actions of His life. He carried on in His intent to conquer sin and death and to redeem humanity at great personal cost. He literally sacrificed himself in love for us. The love of God that is His nature carried him on in the darkest times of His life to successfully face the agony of the cross while staying true to His character and loving all, even those killing him, until the end. He was never driven off the course that love inspired Him to follow.
In my own life, love enables me to keep on the right track. When I doubt myself, my motives, my strength, my knowledge or will, I can seek the true solution in love. As I look to God and cry out for Him to fill me with love, I gain the strength I need. When I am overwhelmed and I remember the love God has shown me it buoys me up to find joy and strength to see the path or continue on the path. When I ponder the question, “What would love do?” I come face to face with a potential action of God in an issue. Love never fails to reveal the truth or strengthen me in it. When I am tested I can rest in the knowledge that in choosing what love would do, I choose to align myself and rest in God’s will. Love never fails.
Philippians 1:9-11 9 And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, 10 so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, 11 filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.