1 Corinthians 13:2 (KJV)

And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.

It's sad to see so many people caught up on "prophecy" and "gifts". When we read the bible we can see the heart of God through Paul who wrote 14 epistles.

Paul emphasizes the supreme importance of "charity," which is often translated as love.

He declares that even if someone possesses great spiritual gifts—such as prophecy, knowledge, or faith powerful enough to move mountains—without love, it all amounts to nothing. The core message is the gospel: the love of Jesus Christ, which is the foundation of our salvation. It is the greatest gift we receive. Charity or love is not about good deeds,  obedience, or faith, it is about Jesus Christ Himself. Jesus is the embodiment of God’s love for us.

It's not about our deeds, it's about his!

Jesus is uncoditional love in action expressed through God. He came to earth, lived a perfect life, and willingly died on the cross because of His immense love for us.

It is crucial to understand that Jesus did not come to save us because of our merits, our works, or our accolades. God’s love for us is not based on what we can do for Him but what he did for us. Salvation is a gift given out of love, not earned by our own efforts. God the Father and Jesus both sacrificed for us because they love us, not because we are deserving. 

It truly sets us free. When we place our faith in Jesus, we receive His righteousness, and we are made perfect in the eyes of God. It is not our obedience, our ability to follow the law, or our spiritual accomplishments that make us righteous. It is solely the love of Jesus, poured out on the cross, that justifies us and brings us into a right relationship with God. 

Many believers today are caught up in the pursuit of spiritual gifts, desiring prophecy, miracles, tongues, and other manifestations. While these gifts were present in the early church, Paul makes it clear that they are not the most important thing. In 1 Corinthians 13, he explains that gifts will pass away, but love—true charity—will remain forever. The greatest gift we must focus on is the love of Jesus expressed through the gospel. It is the love that saves, redeems, and transforms us not the gifts. 

To truly live in the love of Jesus means to accept the gospel, rest in His finished work, and share this love with others.

It means recognizing that our worth and righteousness come from His love, not from anything we do. 

The love of Jesus calls us to let go of our efforts to earn God’s favor and to simply rest in the grace He has provided. This love should be the central focus of our lives and the message we proclaim to the world.Are you focusing more on gifts and accomplishments, or are you centered on the love of Jesus that has saved you? Recenter your heart on the gospel and the profound love of Jesus Christ. Remember that you are perfect and righteous in God’s eyes because of His love, not because of anything you have done. Share this message of love and salvation with those around you, letting them know that it is the greatest gift of all.

Amen!