Paul Describes Love
We just finished studying about spiritual gifts and their need in the edification
of the church and our attitude toward these gifts, now Paul goes one step further
and gives instructions as to how these gifts should be applied. He stresses that
the receiving and the exercising of these gifts without love, will account for
nothing. He speaks of six gifts in particular and shows how the exercising of
these particular gifts, apart from love, does not accomplish anything.
- The gift of Tongues. Both kinds are referred to here. Known
tongues, and unknown tongues. To be able to speak well in
all the known tongues would be quite an accomplishment.
The opportunities would be unlimited for witnessing. But
how many of us use the one tongue that we have? Paul says
that to have this gift and not have love would make you
about as useful as a "noisy gong" or a "clanging cymbal".
Indicating that our accomplishment in languages would
amount to nothing in the Lord's work.
- The gift of Prophesy. Prophesying in the New Testament
usually refers to preaching. The ability to preach a
good and inspiring sermon is quite an asset, but, unless
it is preached out of love, it will accomplish nothing
for the Lord.
- The gift of Understanding and Knowledge. To know all there
is to know and be able to understand it would be a very
wonderful gift. But again, Paul says that it would
account for nothing if we did not have love.
- The gift of Faith. We sometimes forget that faith is a gift
from God. Without it, there is no salvation. Without it
there is no healing. Without it, there is no ministry.
Yet all of this is hinged on the presence of Love. Faith,
in spite of its ability to do great things, can do nothing
apart from Love.
- The gift of Charity. If I give away all that I have in this
world and do not have love, it accomplishes nothing. We
can and do contribute vast sums to charity, money is cheap.
But charity without Love is meaningless, I'm sorry, but it
accounts for nothing.
- The gift of Martyrdom. If I deliver by body, willingly, to
be burned and have not love, I gain nothing. Make any
sacrifice you want, even to the giving up of your life, and
if you do it apart from love, it accounts for nothing.
We see then, that love is very important. It must be the motivator in back of all
that we do for the Lord or it accounts for nothing. So, how do we know if we have
"love". Well, Paul describes it in the next 4 verses.
What Love Is
["Click here for I Corinthians 13:4-7"]
Love is 14 different things. You may want to take a pencil and paper and grade
yourself as we go over these 14 qualifications.
- Patient. Are you patient? Do you demonstrate this with your
family at church and at home?
- Kind. Are you considerate of others? Do you speak in a mild
tone? Are you harsh with the people at work? Are you a joy
to be around?
- Jealous. Are you envious of others possessions, of the jobs,
money, children, place in the church?
- Boastful. "O Lord it is hard to be humble, when you're perfect
in every way." Is that your theme song?
- Arrogant. Thoughtless of others. Pushing others aside.
- Rude. Akin to arrogant. Having an offensive manner, being
difficult to get along with.
- Insisting on our own way. There probably never was a completely
50/50 association, but we should at least try. No one is ever
always right, or always wrong.
- Irritable. Subject to outbursts of emotions. Hard to get
along with.
- Resentful. Do you resent people, especially their comments
regardless of how helpful they might be?
- Negative feelings toward people. Do you rejoice when someone
is wrong or sulk when they are right?
- Revenge. Do you lash back when insulted and seek a way to
get even?
- Do you have doubts about the Word of God?
- Do you have doubts about God's promises?
- Do you endure all things for the sake of Christ?
Well, what's your score? Are you "perfect"? Did you fail miserably? It is not
right that I, the Teacher, should be the only one to fail. Perhaps we should copy
these 14 measurements of Love and put them up on the refrigerator door where we
will constantly see them and seek, as a goal, to accomplish one each year. Just
think, in 14 years, we will be perfect.
The Importance of Love
["Click here for I Corinthians 13:8-13"]
Why is Love so important? These verses tell us that of all the gifts of the
Spirit, Love is the only one that is "eternal". Here Paul is going to burst our
bubble, he is telling us that even if we would accomplish our goal of becoming all
that is good and eliminating all that is bad in those 14 qualifications, we still
would not be perfect. But the time will come when we will be "perfect", for we
shall be like Him. While now, we only see dimly, then we shall understand fully.
While now, we are as little children, then we shall be mature in Christ, and all
that we cherished and bragged about in this world, will pass away, prophesies,
tongues, knowledge, all shall pass away. One thing shall never pass away and that
is Love. Faith, Hope and Love, and the greatest of these is Love.
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