The Apostle Paul declares that a man may possess any spiritual gift, but if it is unaccompanied by love it is useless. He list fifteen characteristics of Christian love.  These characteristics depicted in chapter 13 cause us to exercise self-inspection of our attitude toward God and others.  We are to look at ourselves in the mirror during times of trial, stress, and conflict.  It is easy to love others who love you back.  But what about loving those who speak ill of you and treat you badly?  Will you demonstrate love to God even during times that God seems to be so distant?  The truth is, our love is really put to the test when we are going through extreme difficulties. 

I am sometimes asked, how do we learn to love?  I generally respond with the question:  what makes a person a good football player?  A good artist?  Or a good musician?  The answer of course is: practice, practice, practice. It is that simple. We should engage in the ceaseless "practice" of love.  There are some areas of the Christian walk that I still fall short with, but I say without equivocation that I love the Lord, and I love you all.  And of all the gifts that the Bible list, the Greatest Is Love!