Ancient Words For Today - 39
Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing. 1Corinthians 13:1-3
The apostle Paul tells us that love (the Greek word agape) is greater than even our faith and hope, and that without love as our motive, the exercise of any spiritual gifts we possess or any good deeds we do will not profit us or make us more spiritual. So, our motivation in all that we do and say should be love.
Today many people are confused about what true love is all about. All too often the love people have for another is conditioned upon the other person meeting their needs or maintaining certain behavioral requirements, or in some way, satisfying their selfish desires. For others, the essence of love is making love and it goes no further than satiating lustful erotic pleasures. Another type of love is that which we feel for our family, such as the love we have for parents or siblings, but this too is often conditional on the other person's behavior.
However, the type and depth of love Paul was speaking of is much different. He was referring to the love God shows to His children and that He wants us, his children, to have for one another. In the following verses, Paul describes the attributes of this selfless, at times sacrificial, out-flowing love, which is solely for the benefit of the other person and is not conditional upon their behavior:
Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy;
I have always thought of these verses as a love thermometer which is able to measure the warmth and depth of our love. To try this out for yourself, reread the above verses, but substitute your name wherever the word love appears. Is it a good fit?? Did you get a high love temperature reading? Or perhaps there are one or two areas that need further refinement??
Now try substituting the name Jesus. It fits perfectly, doesn't it? We shouldn't be surprised: Jesus is God and God is love! Jesus loves us more than just a friend or a brother. He loves us so much that He sacrificed His own life so that we could be forgiven our sins and receive eternal life. The Father also exhibited this same agape love for us when he gave His only begotten Son so that whosoever believes in Jesus would not perish but have eternal life.
Jesus said, As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love. If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love. These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.
This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you. Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. John 15:9-13
Jesus also said, A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another. John 13:34-35
Dear Lord, thank you for loving us so much. Please help us be more thoughtful and loving to others, letting Your pure love shine through us. Guide us and empower us, by Your Holy Spirit, to put off our selfish desires and be free to express true unfeigned agape love for others in our actions and words, that we might bring glory to You, because You love us so much. Amen.
love does not parade itself, is not puffed up;
does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil;
does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth;
bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
Love never fails.... 1Corinthians 13:4-8a