Most people do not realize that Paul’s chapter on love, 1 Corinthians 13, continues his thoughts on spiritual gifts (Chapter 12). As wonderful as these gifts are, having been 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, AMP). What could be more excellent than the pursuit and use of spiritual gifts? Listen to his argument: “If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love [for others growing out of God’s love for me], then I have become only a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal [just an annoying distraction]. . . . Love never fails [it never fades nor ends]. But as for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for the gift of special knowledge, it will pass away.” (13:1, 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. It is 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 explained love’s properties and its fruits: “Love endures with patience and serenity, love is kind and thoughtful, and is not jealous or envious; love does not brag and is not proud or arrogant. It is not rude; it is not self-seeking, it is not provoked [nor overly sensitive and easily angered]; it does not take into account a wrong endured. It does not rejoice at injustice, but rejoices with the truth [when right and truth prevail]. Love bears all things [regardless of what comes], believes all things [looking for the best in each one], hopes all things [remaining steadfast during difficult times], endures all things [without weakening]. Love never fails [it never fades nor ends]” (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 Jesus are called to demonstrate.
How important is loving one another in God’s way of thinking? John captures His heart when he writes, “Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and everyone 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, KJV).
Did you notice what I 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?
