THE GREATEST THING

The Greatest Thing
by Henry Drummond
Photo © 2013 Kelly Grace

Have you read this little Classic of the Faith?

I first found the little red copy in a Used Bookstore in York, England.  

Even then it was fragile, but after I brought it home to California and my home's central heating and AC, it came apart into three sections.

But, God is gracious and knew I needed to be able to read this book over and over.  

When my mother-in-law passed away I received her copy.  It's in mint condition and able to withstand frequent perusal.

The title comes from the subject matter, 1 Corinthians 13, the famous passage on love.    

In his discourse Drummond points out that all sin falls into two categories:  sins of the body and sins of disposition.  

Ouch!

Verse 4 says, Love suffers long and is kind.

Of this kindness Drummond observes, It includes perhaps more strictly, the self-restraint which refuses to make capital out of others' faults:  the charity which delights not in exposing the weakness of others, but "covers all things"; the sincerity of purpose which endeavors to see things as they are, and rejoices to find them better than suspicion feared or calumny denounced.

Every  day you and I have opportunities to love.  

I don't mean the warm fuzzy love we experience tucking our kids in bed.

I mean the real love of Christ.

The 1 Peter 2:21-23 Love.

For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps. ²² He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. ²³ When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly.

How do you respond when you are treated badly?

We all experience it.

Drummond says, The world is not a playground; it's a schoolroom.  Life is not a holiday; it's an education.  And one eternal lesson for us all is how better we can love.

The test is coming.  

Maybe not today, but it is coming.  

Here is the first text to help you prepare.

2 Corinthians 3:18 

And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.

Make some time to just behold His glory.  

The Holy Spirit will do the rest.