1 Corinthians 13:12–13: “For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known. And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.”

May 24th, 2022 by Pastor Ed in devotional

The metal workers in ancient Corinth were famous for their elegant hand-polished brass and silver mirrors. However, the technology of the day only allowed for imperfectly polished pieces that, at best, gave off slightly distorted reflected images. Paul the Apostle used this as an illustration of how limited our ability is to fully see and understand spiritual things this side of heaven. As His disciples, we are also called to reflect Jesus to the world around us. But like the Corinthian mirrors, we too can only give off a poorly reflected image of Him. However, someday soon, when the Lord returns or we arrive in heaven, we will be changed; and then we will finally see God fully, not just as a poorly reflected image. Then there will be no need for the gifts of the Spirit (like a word of knowledge) because we will simply know.

In this world, we are all completely understood by our heavenly Father. Psalm 139 reminds us that even our thoughts, before being expressed as words, are already known to Him. But heaven will be a place where we will also be able to understand Him completely. It will be a place for the expression of perfect love. We will at last be capable of both showing love toward God and each other perfectly.

We are currently growing in faith, hope, and love here on planet earth; but in heaven, it will be love alone, since faith and hope will be completed. Paul wrote, “the greatest of these is love,” to reveal to the Corinthians the missing ingredient in their church. As important as the gifts of the Spirit are, love is the evidence of genuine maturity. The gifts will one day pass away because they are for the body of Christ here and now, as we await His return, but love will never pass away; it will remain forever.

“LORD, we desperately need Your love in our heart again this day. Please help us to reflect You more accurately in our actions, words and deeds.”