Most people do not realize that Paul's chapter on love, 1 Corinthians 13, is a continuation of his thoughts on spiritual gifts (Chapter 12). As wonderful as these gifts were, having being given to the Church by God for its edification and the advancement of Christianity, Paul, in encouraging the brethren to "earnestly desire the greater gifts", also exhorted them to a “more excellent way” (12:31). What could be more excellent than the pursuit and use of spiritual gifts? Listen to his argument: "… whether there be prophecies, they shall be done away; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall be done away, but love never faileth" (13:8). The gifts were temporary, but love, in this case, agape love, that "divine, unconditional, self-sacrificing, active, volitional, and thoughtful love" would never cease, and it is for this gift, above all other spiritual gifts, for which we should strive.
Interestingly, when Jesus commanded us to love one another (John 13:34), it was the same Greek word, transliterated agape, that was used. In other words, love one another freely, actively, unconditionally, and self-sacrificially. Actively suggests the demonstration of our love to one another in tangible ways! Paul expanded on this thought when he gave a description of love's properties and its fruits; "Love suffereth long, and is kind; love envieth not; love vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not its own, is not provoked, taketh not account of evil; rejoiceth not in unrighteousness, but rejoiceth with the truth; beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. Love never faileth" (1 Cor. 13:4-8a). We could add far more properties, but we do get the idea. It is hard, almost impossible, to love another person that way without the help and power of the Holy Spirit. Yet it is this love that we who have accepted the call to be disciples of Christ, are called to demonstrate.
How important is loving one another in God's way of thinking? John captured His heart when he wrote, "Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is begotten of God, and knoweth God. He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love. Herein was the love of God manifested in us, that God hath sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another" (1 John 4:7-11).
Have you noticed what I've noticed? He started and ended with the same admonition - love (agape) one another. How are you doing in that area? Can you think of anyone you need to love like that?
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