The apostle Paul was at his passionate, poetic best as he dictated [probably to a scribe] the thirteenth chapter of his first letter to the Corinthian church. One can almost feel the buildup of his emotion as his thoughts inspire his heart and voice. It’s a chapter which never fails to inspire me, and I’m always arrested by its classic challenges: “ Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonour others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres” [4-7].
This week the world is being turned towards Valentine’s Day, a time when, so we’re told, everyone should be thinking about celebrating love. I find myself pondering on this event, and the extent of human love. I wonder how many are aware of the magnitude of Yahweh’s astounding standard. The classic challenges describe a love far beyond what we’re capable of without divine help. Only in Yahshua will we find the depth and beauty of such love, and the inner strength to manifest it.
As these thoughts take hold of the apostolic heart, Paul waxes lyrical about the extent and power of the love he describes, but is confident we’ll never know its fulness until we experience it in eternity. What a beautiful, exhilarating thought that this quality of love will pervade and perfume eternity in all the fulness of purity as described in the classic verses.
These thoughts were fresh in my mind when I read this about Yahshua: “Then comes the end, when he hands over the kingdom to [Yahweh] the Father, when he abolishes all rule and all authority and power” [15:24]. I pondered on this final outcome, imagining my Saviour, His work completed, handing over the Kingdom to His Father, and abolishing everything except love. Love will permeate eternity. All things will be motivated by it, and we’ll exist in the breath-taking, spirit-quickening beauty of its wholeness.
https://pixabay.com/photos/rose-nature-blossom-bloom-red-4560658/
The Test Of LoveWe look at our lives through a spiritual lens now, as we see how our actions as husbands and wives, fathers and mothers, friends and coaches, workers and employers relate to [Yahweh's] will.
Timothy Peck
The Congregation Of Yahweh
Head Office (UK)
27A Carlton Road
Nottingham
Nottinghamshire
United Kingdom
NG3 2DG
T: 0115 837 8083
E:
W: www.congyah.co.uk
Registered Charity No. 245132
© Copyright 2026 The Congregation Of Yahweh
