I Corinthians 13:8: Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away. (KJV).
Charity in the Bible means the highest form of love between God and man, the Agape love that God loves us with, that unconditional love. While prophecies, speaking in tongues, knowledge will vanish away from earth, the only thing that remains forever is love.
Prophecies and word of knowledge, speaking in tongues, etc., are the many spiritual gifts that God gives to some people to help them minister to others as well as in a church. Paul led by the Holy Spirit, was inspired to write that all these things will vanish away except love which will stay on. Love is the most important thing that will hold everything else in place. If we do not love others as we love ourselves, there is no point in yelling and screaming our lungs out and prophesying over someone. When we fail to love others unconditionally and yet deliver a fiery message, to God it’s just like a clanging cymbal. Our actions/attitude should always be motivated by love. What are our intentions when we help someone? Are we helping someone so that they can return the favor? Love is worthless if we do something to others out of bad intention.
We do not need spiritual gifts up in heaven, but we do need love. We will continue to love God and His people up there. That is why it is said love never fails, it will never cease to exist.
