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Daily Devotions

Ephesians

Ephesians 
Day 
Day 300

"Nevertheless let each one of you in particular so love his own wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband."

Text: Ephesians 5:33

UTMOST RESPECT

Paul paid the highest respect to the concept of “love” when he devoted a whole chapter in his letter to the Corinthian Church. Paul exalted the virtue of love above the most prized spiritual gifts.

Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels,
but have not love, I have become sounding brass or
a clanging cymbal.
And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand
all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith,
So that I could remove mountains, but have not love,
I am nothing.
And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor,
and though I give my body to be burned,
but have not love, it profits me nothing.
1 CORINTHIANS 13:1-3

GREATLY PRIZED GIFTS AND VIRTUES

Paul listed some of the most outstanding virtues and gifts any Christian may possess. These include the following:-

1. The gift of tongues (1 Corinthians 13:1)

2. The gift of prophecy (1 Corinthians 13:2)

3. The gift of deep spiritual understanding (1 Corinthians 13:2)

4. The gift of faith (1 Corinthians 13:2)

5. The gift of philanthropy (1 Corinthians 13:3)

6. The gift of courage to die as a martyr (1 Corinthians 13:3)

These are great and wonderful gifts. The fact that many do not possess many (or any) of these glorious gifts, would highlight even more the significance of having these gifts.

“BUT HAVE NOT LOVE”

In simple but powerful language, Paul declared that if the Christian does not possess the gift of love, he is “nothing” (Cf. 1 Corinthians 13:2). When this virtue of love is considered in such a light, then we have a better appreciation of what Paul was emphasizing when he employed the word “love” in the context of life and ministry. Our challenge must be to discover and develop this “agape” (“love”) in our life!