Introduction
What is the greatest spiritual gift? Wisdom? Knowledge? Miracles? Healing? Tongues?
Paul will answer this question for the Christian in the 21st century, just as he answered this question for the Corinthian Christians in the first century. In our text today, we note that Paul’s exposition on love signified its importance as a required characteristic in the life of the Corinthians. And because the Word of God does not change, as stated by the prophet Isaiah, “The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God stands forever,” we must realize that as followers of Christ, love is a necessary attribute in the Christian’s life. Because love is necessary to walk in the more excellent way, you and I must have love. So why do we need love? Can’t we live a Christian life that is satisfactory to God without having love? As we analyze this text, we will notice three truths that illustrate why Christians need love. So in the words of Tina Turner: what’s love got to do with it?
Truth #1—Love makes us effective (vv. 1-3).
After reading these verses, we notice that Paul told the Corinthians that love was necessary in order for one to use spiritual gifts effectively. Paul was saying that if he did speak in the tongues of men or angels, literally a heavenly language but did not have love, then his speaking in tongues would become a booming gong or crashing cymbal. He told the Corinthians that without love, his possession of the spiritual gifts of prophecy, knowledge and faith were meaningless. Paul went on to say that if he might or could possibly give away his possessions piece by piece; also translated as bit by bit or dole out but did not it do it with love, then he would benefit nothing. So if the Corinthian church were to auction off all of their possessions without receiving any compensation but had no love, they would benefit nothing. Consequently, their benevolence would be in vain. Many of our churches are dying, slowly but surely. Notice I said our churches, not Christ’s church. They are not dying because of lacking spiritual gifts. The twenty-first century church is filled with numerous gifts: preaching, teaching, evangelism, administration, healing, speaking in tongues, etc. However, churches are dying because our churches are lacking love. Where there is no love, there is no God because God is love. No matter what our churches do: build family life centers, support missions, administer soup kitchens, etc. Without love, our doing is in vain. One morning a guy tried to crank his car but it would not start. He performed several tests…Finally he checked the water level in his battery and noticed it was low. After adding water to his battery the car cranked up. Some of our churches need to check their spiritual batteries to see if we need to add more love. Then our pastors will be servants, people will be spiritual, and the world will be saved.
Truth #2—Love exhibits our characters (vv. 4-6).
In these verses Paul listed the characteristics that would be exhibited by the Christian that possessed love. In verse four Paul elaborated on the meaning of love. One could say that these are the attributes or characteristics love. Paul said that love is patient which means forbearing or long tempered. This phrase would be parallel to the phrase love is kind. A deeper look into this latter phrase would reveal that love has an affect on the possessor; it makes that individual kind. Love would also stop an individual from being jealous, a bragger, or arrogant. As Paul continued to disclose the connotation of love, he said that it was not rude or offensive. This meant that when one exhibited love, it would not cause another individual to feel shameful or disgraced. Then Paul said that love was not self-seeking.
Therefore, when one loved, that person would not be expecting to receive recompense because love does not seek for itself. Next, Paul said that love could not be provoked. If the Corinthians expressed the love that is being preached, then it would have an affect on them so that they would not be aggravated or annoyed. Then Paul said that love did not keep a tally of wrongdoing. Again, if the Corinthians expressed the love that Paul is exhorting, they would be affected by this love and would not keep count of misfortune.
In verse six Paul continued to elaborate on the characteristics of love. He said that it did not rejoice in malevolence. So, the Corinthians were not supposed to find delight in evil. Instead, they were to find joy or celebrate in the truth because Paul said that love rejoices in the truth. Paul said that if the Corinthians truly possessed love, they would admonish sin and exult fidelity. When I envision the life of Jesus, I see the embodiment of the love that Paul was describing to the Corinthians. As we read the gospel narratives, we will notice that Jesus was patient and kind. He was not arrogant or a bragger. Jesus was not rude or offensive.
He was not self-seeking nor easily provoked. Jesus was not aggravated or annoyed. He did not keep count of wrongs and did not rejoice in evil.
When we possess love, we will be patient with one another and kind to each other. When we possess love, we will not be egotistical or boasters. When we possess love, we will not be impolite unpleasant. When we possess love we will not be selfish or easily aggravated. When we possess love, we will not keep a running tally of peoples offenses towards us nor will we celebrate in evil. If the church, which is the body of Christ, would follow the head (Christ), more love would be exhibited. More souls would be extracted from the grasp of Satan. And the Lord would be exalted.
Truth #3—Love gives us endurance (v. 7).
Paul said that love kept all things confidential. Literally, this meant to put a roof on or to keep silent about something. The members of the Corinthian church should be so exemplary in their love and confidentiality that others would believe that they could trust them with their innermost thoughts. Then Paul said that love entrusts or believes all. There is no doubt in love. The object of the belief of this love is what it believes. Next, Paul said that love hopes all. In this instance hope meant to expect or await all. This could be a reference to the eschatological hope. Also, it could mean that it expects or awaits the best in all or everyone. I believe we should adhere to the first option.
Finally, love endures all. Paul was saying that if one possessed love, they would be able to put up with all adversity and suffering. The Corinthians would need this love in order to be all that they needed to be as Christians. There is a hymn that says, “Yield not to temptation for yielding is sin.” Many times we are tempted, but with love we can endure all manner of temptations. Even Jesus was tempted but he did not yield to sin because he possessed this love. Our endurance is often put to the test.
Sometimes we are tempted to unveil someone’s secret. But God knows your innermost sins and has not told anyone. We may be tempted to doubt the Word of God because of the supposed inaccuracy of the manuscripts. Our endurance may be put to the test while trying to hold on to a diminishing hope. I want to encourage you with Psalm 30:5, “For his anger is but for a moment, and his favor is for a lifetime. Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning.” It was the year 155 and Polycarp, a bishop of the early church was on trial. With his answer determining his final fate, he decided not to worship the emperor Polycarp said, “For eighty-six years I have served him, and he has done me no evil. How could I curse my king, who saved me? As Christians, we will be put on trial. The world will find us guilty. We shall be sentenced to death. It is then that we will be tempted to succumb to sin, but with the love of God, we can be like Polycarp and endure all temptation.
Conclusion
Do you have love? Do you believe it has a vital role in our Christian lives. In our text we noted that Paul’s exposition on love signified its importance as a required characteristic in the life of the Corinthians. We must realize that as followers of Christ, love is a necessary attribute in the Christian’s life. Because love is necessary: God demonstrated it, Jesus commanded us to do it, the Holy Spirit reaches people through it, Paul preached it, therefore my desire is for you to possess it. Without love our spiritual gifts are not effective. With love our Christian character is exhibited. And with love we are able to endure all temptation.
Invitation
Love, you can live with it but you cannot live without it. If it was not for love…God’s love I would be spiritually dead. I thank God for his love because “God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Yes, we are sinners. The Bible reads that “all have sinned and fall short of God’s glory.” Do you know what the reward is for sin? Death! The Bible reads that “the wages of sin is death.” But the good news is that because of God’s love for us we don’t have to die. We can have eternal life. For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son. Whoever believes in his Son Jesus Christ will not die but have eternal life. Do you want to believe today? Do you want to learn more about Jesus Christ and how to have a relationship with him? Come, so we can talk about you and Him.
