We live in a disposable culture. Nothing lasts anymore.

I will go so far as to say that things can’t last. The whole creation will be subject to a big bonfire at the end of time (2 Peter 3). All that can be burned will go up in smoke.

We don’t even last—our bodies, I mean. For “our outer self is wasting away” (2 Cor. 4:16). And there isn’t much to be done about it.

But there are some things that do last. Not many, but some. Those are the things we want, really, deep down. This is because God has placed eternity in our hearts (Eccl. 3:11). God has made us so that we cannot rest until we rest in the things that last.

Paul gives us good news in his closing words of 1 Corinthians 13: “Love never ends” (v.8a). God’s final word on love is simple: love lasts!

Because it does, Paul closes with four exhortations:

I. Only love lasts, so focus your gifts on eternity. (8-10)

II. Only love lasts, so focus your heart on maturity. (11)

III. Only love lasts, so focus your mind on humility. (12)

IV. Only love lasts, so focus on God’s priority. (13)