Our Knowledge is Incomplete

1 Corinthians 13:9-10 “For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears.”

The Message puts it this way: “We know only a portion of the truth, and what we say about God is always incomplete. But when the Complete arrives, our incompletes will be cancelled.”

Our knowledge in all areas – physical, mental, emotional, creation, science, life, relationships, spiritual, heavens and earth – our knowledge is limited – even with high-powered computers, advanced degrees, Mensa IQs and all the Scripture – all is limited. We do know some things and we can predict some things with some accuracy. But we can’t even predict the weather! What we know about God is certainly incomplete – as his ways are not our ways. He is beyond us. Our minds can’t grasp a complete knowledge of our great God.

But when perfection comes – the imperfect disappears – when Complete arrives our incompleteness will be cancelled. What a promise! When LOVE comes our loveless-ness vanishes. 

Is this about end-times? Come quickly, Lord. We need you – our sorry, hurting world, our sin-sick, love-starved world needs you.

Love Never Fails

1 Corinthians 13:8  “Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away.”

The Message says it this way: “Love never dies. Inspired speech will be over some day; praying in tongues will end; understanding will reach its limit.”

Love never fails. Love never dies. Love is eternal, everlasting, unchanging, trustworthy. God is LOVE.

Prophecies – inspired speech – sermons and messages by pastors or prophets will end.

Praying in tongues—private prayer languages will end.

Knowledge will end or die; understanding will come to a dead-end.

This scripture is beyond my wisdom or understanding. Scholars ponder and debate the meaning of this passage. In simple terms, love is eternal and all other spiritual gifts given to man are limited, dwarfed – are nothing – compared to LOVE. So acquiring these gifts is of less value compared to learning to love.

Help me pursue love; teach me to love, Lord.

Without Love - I Am Nothing

1 Corinthians 13:2 “If I have the gift of prophesy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge and if I have faith to move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. NIV

The Message says: “If I speak God’s Word with power, revealing all his mysteries and making everything plain as day, and if I have faith that says to a mountain, ‘Jump,’ and it jumps, but I don’t love, I’m nothing.”

This is sobering, Lord. If I speak your Word with power, – but I speak your Truth without love, I am nothing? I am useless? Even if I understand all mysteries and all knowledge – even if I know and understand more than Einstein knew or more than a top theologian knows – I am of no use without love. Even with faith—strong, powerful and amazing faith that moves mountains of unbelief – this is useless, without LOVE. You are LOVE with capital letters.

It’s clear—I am nothing without YOU! Help me live this today.

Blessings, Dottie