Divine Love Never Fails 1 Corinthians 13
Consider Divine Charity
Books on Divine Love
Divine Love Verses Human Knowledge
HUMAN KNOWLEDGE today is worldwide, and as wide as the world. It seems that science and technology have now included every doable side of life within its observance. The farthest off star has revealed its structure, composition, and distance through the telescope. The microscope has searched its way into the movements of the simplest diatoms of algae and every other cell which colonizes our miracle planet. Every unit of life with its genome is now at our scrutiny. Nothing seems beyond our understanding: nothing is beneath our notice. The considerably small is of as much importance to us as the infinitely great. However, in all this our knowledge is imperfect. The more we penetrate into the esoteric mysteries of nature, the wider the view we take of our science knowledge. At best, we can say that we are only partialists in knowing anything.
1Co 13: (7) (Love) beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. (8) Love never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall be done away; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall be done away. (9) For we know in part, and we prophesy in part; (10) but when that which is perfect is come, that which is in part shall be done away. (11) When I was a child, I spake as a child, I felt as a child, I thought as a child: now that I am become a man, I have put away childish things. (12) For now we see in a mirror, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know fully even as also I was fully known. (13) But now abideth faith, hope, love, these three; and the greatest of these is love. (ASV Bible)
The Bible says that I know but in part.
Every time I discover the new it witnesses to my prior ignorance. When it comes to truth, I am limited to one or two prejudiced views. There is but one truth, but my judgment of it most often cannot be just. When I flip the coin, I always miss one side or the other. I need some help beyond my blemished knowledge in order to understand what keeps my world turning. I search for some loveliness to fill the gap left by that which is in part. My mind, body and spirit, all that make me what I am, yearns for this grace which will help me know the unknowable! Is there a Divine Mercy for this breach of knowledge?
The Grace of Divine Charity
Having said this, I rejoice that God has indeed given us a Grace which transcends our lack. It is Divine Love; it is the ever flowing river of God’s Charity.
I know in part, and I prophesy in part. However, one day I shall know on a much superior scale. The name of this grace is Love. Charity never fails. In heaven I shall know, even as I am known. That which is in part shall be made whole. On the other hand, here I must contend with partial knowledge. In order for me to cope God has baptized me in Divine Love, a love for me. That love makes my incomplete knowledge tolerable, because I know Him. One thing I know, that redeeming love allows me to call Him “Father.”
No one can find the "Father" until the Father finds him!
God cannot be found by thought; he can only be known through his own manifestation of himself, and in this he shows himself to be the absolute mystery, who can be understood only through his own self-revelation. - Emil Brunner (1889-1966)
A Treasure to be Invested!
I take this love; it is a treasure to my heart. I cannot know it except that I have it within me. However, it is not a treasure without a cost. It is not free love, though I freely receive it. Jesus Christ gave His life for me. He tells me to invest it in others. He set the example!
In his book Mere Christianity, C.S. Lewis wrote, "Do not waste your time bothering whether you 'love' your neighbor; act as if you did. As soon as I do this, I find one of the great secrets. When you are behaving as if you loved someone, you will presently come to love him. If you injure someone you dislike, you will find yourself disliking him more. If you do him a good turn, you will find yourself disliking him less."
I will remember the narrow limits of my knowledge; I will lament my often misguided judgments. I pray that God forgives me. I praise Him that He continually judges me with His Divine Charity. I praise Him with all my being. I will endeavor to be hopeful in all things, to believe Him in all things, to endure all things for Him. Lord, help me be as broad as the charity of God.
- Acquaint thyself with God,
- If thou wouldst taste His works.
- Admitted once to his embrace,
- Thou shalt perceive that thou wast blind before. William Cowper (1731-1800)