Bible Reading Challenge #42

1 Corinthians 13:8–12

8 Love never ends. As for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away. 9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part, 10 but when the perfect comes, the partial will pass away. 11 When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I gave up childish ways. 12 For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known.

Paul makes a stunning claim — love never ends.
It doesn’t expire.
It doesn’t fade.
It isn’t something we outgrow or move beyond.

Every spiritual gift, talent, or moment of insight will eventually fade away. But love? Love lasts forever.

Or, to quote a modern philosopher — Buzz Lightyear —
“To infinity and beyond.”
That’s the best way to describe the kind of love Paul is talking about.

• Love bears to infinity and beyond.

• Love hopes to infinity and beyond.

• Love believes to infinity and beyond.

• Love is patient and kind to infinity and beyond.

Why?
Because the love we’re called to display is simply a reflection of the love we’ve already received.

We must stop being forgiven people who refuse to forgive. (See the Unforgiving Servant in Matthew 18:21–35)

The same principle applies here — we are loved people who love.

We love to infinity and beyond because we have been loved to infinity and beyond.

God’s love doesn’t run out or run dry.
He doesn’t limit our chances or restrict His forgiveness.
His love is infinite — able to cover every sin, every failure, every regret.

That’s the kind of love Paul says never ends.