Positive Attributes Of Love Series

The theme of love has been associated with the Lord's Supper down through the centuries.

The early Christians had what came to be known as an Agape feast before they partook of

the Lord's Supper. This was a time in which they ate a full meal together in an atmosphere

of Christian fellowship. It was a great contrast to the pagan parties which were held on

behalf of false gods. Most of the Corinthian Christians had been involved in this corrupt

pagan celebrations before their conversion, and some of the self-centeredness of those began

to creep into the love feasts of the church. The result was that the outgoing concern for

others in agape love faded, and eros love came in, which is a love that is more concerned

about self and what pleasure it can get at the expense of others.

It was a constant battle to keep the love feast a time of true Christian fellowship. After

New Testament days the church changed the feast and held it after the Lord's Supper, but

there was still problems of corruption. In times of persecution the agape meal was had in

prisons with condemned Christians before they were martyred. It soon became a custom to

have a love meal after weddings and funerals, and so our modern days receptions after such

events are nothing new in the church. During the Middle Ages, however, the practice

became so corrupted by non-Christian influence that the Council of Trullan in 692 A. D.

ruled that those who held love feasts in the church should be excommunicated.

The agape feast is still practiced in the Eastern Church just as it was in New Testament

days. A small group in England called the Peculiar People also have the love feast. They

demonstrate that the practice does not have to be corrupt. The only trace of the idea left in

most churches today is the practice of taking a benevolent offering after the Lord's Supper

to be used to help the needy. The result is that few people today connect love with the Lord's

Supper. It is appropriate, however, to consider the theme of love before we commune with

the Lord of love. We want to focus our attention on the attributes of love that are first

mentioned, and they are patience and kindness.

I. LOVE IS PATIENT.

Patience is the first attribute that Paul mentions, for this is essential in all the

relationships of life. If God was not patient, He would have destroyed the earth long ago,

and there would be no plan of salvation. But God is love, and His love is patient, not willing

that any should perish but that all come to repentance. God is exceedingly patient with

people. Jonah even became angry at God when He did not destroy Nineveh but forgave

them, and gave them a second chance when they repented. God is patient because He is love,

and if the love of God is in us, we too will be patient with people.

This means that we must have the capacity to forgive. This word always means patience

with people, and not just with circumstances. In verse 7 Paul deals with enduring all things,

but here at the start he puts first things first and says that the first attribute of agape love is

the ability to be patient and forgiving of people. Martin Luther King Jr. said, "He who is

devoid of the power to forgive is devoid of the power to love." The Corinthians desperately

needed to learn this, for there were weak Christians and proud Christians, and Christians of

every type of personality all mixed together with different convictions and likes. If there is

no patience in such an atmosphere, there is bound to be trouble, and there was. Some were

of Paul, others of Apolos, and others of Cephus. At their love feast some would have steak,

and others would have just vegetables. The rich would not share with the poor. Some ate

meat offered to idols, and others thought it was a sin.

The church has the hardest task in the world. It has to take people of all walks of life with

endless differences in background, convictions, and personalities, and unite them in one

unified mission of extending the kingdom of God on earth. The task is not difficult, it is

impossible unless the unifying power of agape love is present, only agape love can bear

patiently the conflicts in human personalities. Someone said, "To live above with the saints

we love, Oh that will be glory! But to live below with the saints we know-that's another

story."

It is the basic ingredient in the unity of every church. In any church business meeting you

will find differing opinions and convictions. In any group of Christians you will find varying