It's easy to lose sight of the basics. Just because it's easy to understand doesn't mean it isn't important, or easy to practice.
Few Bible passages are as well known as 1 Corinthians 13, but I wonder how well we REALLY know this passage? Reading and understanding it doesn't require our best exegetical effort but putting it in to practice ... well, that's another matter.
The gifts of language, prophecy, knowledge, faith, mercy and martyrdom are pointless and profitless without the compassionate work of love (vss.1-3). Love alone provides motive to guide these areas of service into something sacrificial rather than self-serving.
Nothing is more basic, or revealing, than the description of real love:
"Love is patient, love is kind and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant, does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered, does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things." (1 Corinthians 13:4-7)
Love's description removes all pretense. Personal views and practices of love are cross-examined in the highest court according to the truest standard. All illusion is dispelled by the unwavering questioning of true love: Is it patient? kind? free of jealousy, boasting and arrogance? Is it self-seeking? Easy provoked? Unforgiving and unforgetting?
Love is the determining factor in truth and knowledge. Zeal for truth and passion for knowledge are undone through the absence of love, but are vindicated by its active presence. Love is the crown jewel of a true believer - "By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another." (John 13:35).
Nothing is more basic or essential than love. Love unites when differences separate. It stands resolute for truth and principle while at the same time taking a reconciling stance and position. It is the glue that unites fragmented believers into a seamless body that compels the world to notice and believe (John 17:20-21). Love extends the gospel to the lost even when the lost choose the darkness of hatred. Love qualifies truth and character.
Love isn't all we need but it is what we need over all.
"But now faith, hope, love, abide these three; but the greatest of these is love." (1 Corinthians 13:13)
Steve
Few Bible passages are as well known as 1 Corinthians 13, but I wonder how well we REALLY know this passage? Reading and understanding it doesn't require our best exegetical effort but putting it in to practice ... well, that's another matter.
The gifts of language, prophecy, knowledge, faith, mercy and martyrdom are pointless and profitless without the compassionate work of love (vss.1-3). Love alone provides motive to guide these areas of service into something sacrificial rather than self-serving.
Nothing is more basic, or revealing, than the description of real love:
"Love is patient, love is kind and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant, does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered, does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things." (1 Corinthians 13:4-7)
Love's description removes all pretense. Personal views and practices of love are cross-examined in the highest court according to the truest standard. All illusion is dispelled by the unwavering questioning of true love: Is it patient? kind? free of jealousy, boasting and arrogance? Is it self-seeking? Easy provoked? Unforgiving and unforgetting?
Love is the determining factor in truth and knowledge. Zeal for truth and passion for knowledge are undone through the absence of love, but are vindicated by its active presence. Love is the crown jewel of a true believer - "By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another." (John 13:35).
Nothing is more basic or essential than love. Love unites when differences separate. It stands resolute for truth and principle while at the same time taking a reconciling stance and position. It is the glue that unites fragmented believers into a seamless body that compels the world to notice and believe (John 17:20-21). Love extends the gospel to the lost even when the lost choose the darkness of hatred. Love qualifies truth and character.
Love isn't all we need but it is what we need over all.
"But now faith, hope, love, abide these three; but the greatest of these is love." (1 Corinthians 13:13)
Steve
posted by steve @ 9:26 AM
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