October 6

The greatest of these is charity. - 1 Corinthians 13:13.

THIS will appear in five respects:-First, as we have already remarked in the previous meditation, From the testimony of Scripture.

Secondly, Greatest in its divine resemblance. We do not resemble God by faith, or by hope, but we may resemble him by love, for “God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God and God in him;” “and if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.” Therefore, says the apostle, “Be ye followers of God as dear children, and walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling savour.”

Thirdly, Greatest in its disinterested nature. Faith and hope are both beneficial, but the advantage turns upon believers. They “believe to the saving of the soul,”-that is, their own soul; and they are “filled with all joy and peace in believing.” But “charity seeketh not her own;” she teacheth every man to “look not on his own things, but also on the things of others:” if it begins at home it does not end there. It extends its concern to friends, and relations, and neighbours; to the church, to the nation, and to the world. It may have its peculiar regards, and in its exercises it may be limited to opportunities, means, and resources; but this principle is of universal aim and tendency; and wherever it finds a human being it finds a brother, whatever his country, complexion, or condition may be. And while there are any “sitting in darkness and in the region of the shadow of death,” its prayer will be, “Oh, send out thy light and thy truth, that thy way may be known upon earth, thy saving health among all nations.”

Fourthly, Greatest in the eminence it produces. Paul enjoins the Philippians to think not only on whatsoever things are honest, and just, and pure, but also on whatsoever things are lovely and of good report; and he says to the Romans, “He that in these things serveth Christ is acceptable to God and approved of men.”

Fifthly, Greatest in its duration. “Charity never faileth;” faith and hope fail. Faith and hope, like tutors and governors, attend us while we are under age, but leave us when we enter upon our heavenly inheritance. They are like the scaffolding necessary to the erection of the building, which, when it is completed, is laid aside, while the fair mansion stands the wonder of all beholders; or they are like to a vessel which conveys Christians to the other side of the river and lands them safely there, and then it is wanted no longer, for they do not wish to go back again now that they have reached the better country. But they have reached that rest now. If any thing could make them willing to enter the vessel to return again, it would be the sanctuary in which they have so often seen his power and glory; but they are now in his temple above. They have now joined the spirits of just men made perfect.

Now their faith is turned into sight, and hope into enjoyment; while love will not only continue but increase; every hinderance to it will then be removed, and it will then be made perfect, while there will be fresh excitements to draw it forth to God forever.