The permanence of love 1 Corinthians 13:11-13: The miraculous spiritual gifts were not signs of maturity in Christ. Those gifts were only a means by which that maturity was pursued. The miraculous spiritual gifts were temporary like the things of childhood. "When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things. For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known." Those miraculous spiritual gifts were temporary and are longer needed today. "Prophecy, and tongues only allowed them to see through a glass darkly. When the perfect Word of God was completed, then all Christians would have the opportunity to see clearly."

The chapter concluded with one of the truly great Bible statements, "And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity." (1 Corinthians 13:13) Hebrews 11:1 shows us why faith would abide. "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." (Hebrews 11:1) Hope abides because it is the anticipation of what faith expects. Love abides forever because it is the very nature of the new life.

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