Our greatest joy is found in loving God and following his commandments. However, John reminds us that we are not the main character. The love that defines our lives is not our own, but is found in Christ laying down his life for us. This is the love that teaches us to lay down our lives in obedience.

In the midst of teaching the Corinthians about a range of powerful spiritual gifts, Paul pauses to teach that flashy gifts that get a lot of attention don’t actually hold a candle to real love that flows from knowing Jesus.

As we steep in God’s love, we see that it crosses boundaries and weathers storms. Jesus challenges a lawyer with this truth in one of his most memorable parables, the Good Samaritan.

Human emotions of love or hate are fleeting. They can arise one moment and be gone the next. Psalm 136 praises the Lord for what we can count on forever: his steadfast love woven through all creation.

In this passage, God’s chosen people are reminded that they were not chosen for what they bring to the table, but because of God’s love. It is truly this first-moving love of God that transforms us into people who obey his words and reflect his love.