Let's Talk About Love # 5 Series

LET’S TALK ABOUT LOVE, Part 5

Warsaw Christian Church, Richard M. Bowman, Pastor

Text: 1 Corinthians 13:1-3

As we continue our study of that grand word, LOVE, we turn this morning to one of the best-known chapters in Scripture, 1 Corinthians 13, the love chapter. Our focus this morning will be limited to the first 3 verses. We note first the larger context of this chapter. Paul discusses at length spiritual gifts in 1 Cor. 12, a theme he picks up again in chapter 14. He places great emphasis on unity within the church. His overall purpose in chapter 13 is to remind us that the heart and core of the Christian life is love.

In 1 Cor. 12 Paul list 9 gifts the Holy Spirit gives to His people. Some of these gifts are markedly miraculous. He mentions gifts of healing, miracles, speaking in unknown languages, and the interpretation of those languages. Other gifts do not seem as overtly miraculous - - - gifts such a word of wisdom or knowledge. In all cases, however, these gifts are granted by the Holy Spirit. We learned in Bible study that this is just one of five lists of spiritual gifts in the New Testament. We do not decide which gifts we prefer to exercise in the church. The Holy Spirit makes that decision sovereignly (See Hebrews 2:4). Our task is to make ourselves open and ready to be used by God as He sees fit.

We can assume that there were those in Corinth who did not understand the centrality of love (agape) in the Christian life. Some apparently focused on the use of supernatural power as the main thing. Miraculous gifts are wonderful, and I frankly wish I saw more of them at work in the church. To see someone healed by a divine miracle is a grand blessing. I have had some personal experience with what is usually called “speaking in tongues,” and I have seen how that gift can bring great edification into a life.

The church historically has taken two very different positions regarding miraculous gifts. My ESV Study Bible summarizes these positions quite well. “The “cessationist” view is that miraculous gifts such as prophecy, healing, tongues, interpretation, and miracles were given to authenticate the apostles and their writings in the early years of the church, but those gifts “ceased” once the entire NT was written and the apostles died (c. a.d. 100). Others hold that Paul expected these gifts to continue until Christ returns, which will be the time when “the perfect” (v. 10) ways of speaking and knowing in the age to come replace the “in part” (v. 9) gifts of this age. Support for the second position is found in v. 12, which indicates that “then” (the time when these gifts shall cease) is the time of Christ’s return (p.2211). I respect both positions but prefer the latter viewpoint. I am familiar with good, solid Bible-believing Christians on both sides of this issue.

That is an aside, however, from the main point. One of the problems in Corinth seemed to be an overemphasis on miraculous gifts. One problem with such gifts is that those through whom they work may feel superior to Christians who do not possess such gifts. There are churches and entire denominations in Christendom today that place great emphasis on miracles. On the other hand, those who lack such gifts may feel pride that they are not fanatics like those weird Pentecostal and charismatic folks. In both cases, the more important principle of love is violated.

Paul stresses that if you can speak in tongues, for example, even if it is the language of angels, but you do it without love, your “gift” turns into an irritation - - - a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. A gift meant to bless the church becomes a virtual curse when love is absent. Even if you have faith that is supercharged by the presence and power of the Holy Spirit so that you can move mountains (literal or figurative), if love is absent, it is nothing. What an astonishing statement Paul makes! Wouldn’t we be impressed if someone in our midst could speak to one of our mountainous problems and the power of God would powerfully manifest itself? I would be deeply moved and impressed, but Paul says if love is absent, God is not impressed.

We must not make miracles the sign of a true church or a real Christian. If miracles come from time to time, I thank God. One of the problems with miracles is their source. The magicians in the court of Pharaoh were able to perform some awesome miracles, rivaling those performed by the hand of Moses. Do you remember what Jesus said on one occasion about miracles? “ For false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and miracles to deceive even the elect--if that were possible” (Matt, 24:24). Paul also gave us this warning: “The coming of the lawless one will be in accordance with the work of Satan displayed in all kinds of counterfeit miracles, signs and wonders” (2 Thess. 2:9) When we see miraculous signs as the heart of Christianity, we open ourselves to deception. Paul reminds us in very memorable terms that love is at the core of true Christianity. If you practice love as defined in Scripture, that is what marks you as an authentic Christian. If God also miraculously uses you, that is frosting on the cake.