It was back in chapter 8 when Paul wrote about matters of conscience that he said that 'knowledge puffs up, but love edifies'. It was an act of love to deny one's desires to protect another person's conscience. This is the principle that would build on in chapter 13. This principle of love isn't Paul's idea, for he learned it from Christ.
The church of Corinth was commended for having an array of gifts and exercising them. They were active and apparently pursued other gifts. However, there was an issue; at least some were motivated by selfish desires. With one breath they portrayed themselves as spiritual; with the next, they fostered pride held themselves above others because of their gift. The gift of tongues was held in high regard and appears to have been a particular problem. They had made this gift of tongues into something it was never intended to be. They had put too much emphasis on this particular gift and desired it for the sake of personal gain.
We know that there existed a self-imposed shame among some from possessing what was perceived as a 'lesser gift'. Likewise, there was a pride among others for having what they considered the greater gifts. This was an unhealthy atmosphere in the church. Too many were focused on serving themselves, even to the detriment of their brothers and sisters. Add this to the other issues at Corinth; illicit sexuality, greed, and idolatry among other things. The commandment to love your neighbor as you love yourself is only exceeded by the commandment to love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul and mind. This clearly wasn't happening.
Paul said at the end of chapter 12 that God appointed people to many different things. It is okay for us to desire spiritual gifts for the proper use within the body. However, at the very end of chapter 12 Paul said, "And yet I show you a more excellent way." Love is portrayed as the active ingredient so that the use of gifts brings forth the proper outcome; fruit and edification of the brethren. This is a more excellent way.
Remember the lessons of chapter 12, they are the context of chapter 13.
- Gifts enhanced unity; they didn't create division.
- Spiritual gifts were given by God as He wills.
- All the gifts within the body are valuable, all acting together within the healthy function of the body.
- If one member of the body suffered, all suffered.
- If a member is honored, all members rejoice as one.
To sing a song, one must do a few things at the same time:
- Know the lyrics
- Pick a key that you can sing in.
- Set and maintain a tempo.
You could do these things and make a joyful noise to the Lord. But in reality, it's just a song, a recital or performance. Where's the passion? The meaning? The heart? Is there any purpose to singing this song? Why did you choose to sing it? There is a more excellent way!
***
We can see that here in First Corinthians, Paul followed the discussion of the gifts with a digression on love. There was a right way to use the gifts. Let's take a moment and look at the other places where he wrote about the spiritual gifts.
In Romans 12 Paul wrote about the use of spiritual gifts:
For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith. 4 For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function, 5 so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another. 6 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them:
[The New King James Version (Ro 12:3–6). (1982). Thomas Nelson.]
He then listed some of the spiritual gifts and immediately spoke of love and what love should look like among them.
9 Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good. 10 Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another; 11 not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; 12 rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer; 13 distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality.
[The New King James Version (Ro 12:9–13). (1982). Thomas Nelson.]
Paul spoke of the same agape love and how it would play out among brethren. Yet, to the Romans, he didn't expand on the idea to make corrections. Simply put, our agape is to be without Hypocrisy. Agape love is not a feeling or emotion, it is actionable. It is unconditional, sacrificial love; for agape to be sincere, it must move us to action. If it is not sincere, it probably isn't love anyway; proving that hypocritical love isn't love at all.
If someone says, "I love God," and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen? 21 And this commandment we have from Him: that he who loves God must love his brother also.
[The New King James Version (1 Jn 4:20–21). (1982). Thomas Nelson.]
In Ephesians 4 Paul also wrote about the spiritual gifts. He framed the discussion, both before and after with the heart and attitude with which the gifts were used. Paul beseeched them to:
……walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, 2 with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, 3 endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.
[The New King James Version (Eph 4:1–6). (1982). Thomas Nelson.]
After writing of the gifts Paul went further with a bookend statement regarding our heart toward one another in the church. He painted a picture of brethren serving and edifying, speaking of love in the midst of a world tossed to and fro, full of deceit, trickery and fraudulent ministries and false Christ. Paul presented the gifts as an extension of the saving grace of Jesus Christ. He Himself gave these gifts:
……. for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, 13 till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; 14 that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, 15 but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ—16 from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.
[The New King James Version (Eph 4:12–16). (1982). Thomas Nelson.]
Authentic love will be a love that serves and sacrifices; free of hypocrisy. We've often heard that love is a verb; it's action. It's moving what needs moved to serve and edify our brethren. The gifts become the tools to express that love. Authentic love will move us to cling to the good in the midst of evil; and move us to abhor the evil that causes so much damage among men.
1 Corinthians 13:1
Paul speaks several hyperbolic statements to establish his point. The first states that even if those 'strong' in faith, exercising their gift could speak every known language of men as well as the language of angels, they are just making useless noise if they do so without love.
This phrase 'tongues of men and of angels' is interesting. The word for tongues is also used to speak of language that we use daily to communicate. Some have used this to say that 'tongues' is simply the speaking of the gospel in different languages of men. Some believed that the angels had their own language and which men could speak by the power of the Holy Spirit. Some Jewish traditions believed angels spoke Hebrew – that theory exists today. This phrase 'language of angels' shows up in the Testament of Job, intertestamental literature, written sometime in first century BC to first century AD:
25 Then the other daughter, Kassia by name, put on the girdle, and her heart was transformed, so that she no longer wished for worldly things. 26 And her mouth assumed the dialect of the heavenly rulers (Archonts) and she sang the donology of the work of the High Place and if any one wishes to know the work of the heavens he may take an insight into the hymns of Kassia.
27 Then did the other daughter by the name of Amalthea's Horn (Keren Happukh) gird herself and her mouth spoke in the language of those on high; for her heart was transformed, being lifted above the worldly things. 28 She spoke in the dialect of the Cherubim, singing the praise of the Ruler of the cosmic powers (virtues) and extolling their (His) glory.
Paul wasn't establishing that there was a such an angelic language. Most Jews believed that angels understood all languages. Most of us have never really considered this before. When God confused the languages at the tower of Babel, did he confuse the angels? The bible indicates that there are angels assigned to nations, those angels must understand the language. This is just another interesting aspect within the overall discussion of tongues. The passage offers no clarity about the gift (nor was it meant to); but it does offers clarity on the use of the gift.
All the gifts were to be used as an act of love, sacrificial service to the brethren. Everything else became religious activity of no worth; useless background noise and a distraction. The most profound technical use of the gift was nothing without the active ingredient of love.
Love is the catalyst to the spiritual gifts. It's the primary ingredient that makes the difference; that changes a word of the mouth, the work of the hands, the act of faith from something technical and measurable and even tangible to some something sacrificial, eternal, everlasting, edifying, immeasurable and glorifying to God. The gifts are meaningless actions and workings without the benefit of love.
We can imagine the sounding brass or the clanging symbols; background noise looking very religious to some. In that time those sounds would remind someone of the pagan worship down the road that did these very things. To honor some of the false gods of that time they clanged these symbols. It was a lot of crashing and banging around. However, because the gods were false, it was meaningless.
Likewise, if those who exercised the gift of tongues did so without love they might as well be down the road at the pagan temple banging around on the gongs and symbols. Because all they said and did would be no different and sound no different then what could be seen there. It is love that makes the difference. With love, the gifts become meaningful. Even the least of the gifts is meaningful when there is a underlying foundation or motivation of love.
Corinth was known for its manufacture of brass. The 'sounding brass' was probably not a gong though it may have appeared as such. They manufactured cone shaped brass fixture that served to amplify the sound for speakers at public venues. They were apparently used at theaters and other places where large crowds gathered. These were like the original sound system. The sounding brass would then be an example of sound coming from a cold, lifeless vessel. This was then joined to the clanging cymbals similar to what was found in the worship of the goddess Cybele or the god Dionysius down the road in Corinth.
The word used for 'love' here in this passage of scripture is Agape' love. The Greek language has four words for love.
- There is Eros love which a strictly physical and sexual love.
- The second word is Storge. This is family love. It's the love of a parent to child or between family members.
- The 3rd word is Philia. This is brotherly love. It's friendship and brotherly affection. Some believe this is the highest love that men are capable of without the help of God.
- And then the 4th word for love is the word Paul speaks about here. It is agape love. It is unconditional, genuine, sincere and a sacrificial action of service, likened to the love expressed by Jesus on the cross.
But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
[The New King James Version (Ro 5:8). (1982). Thomas Nelson.]
Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! Therefore the world does not know us, because it did not know Him.
[The New King James Version (1 Jn 3:1). (1982). Thomas Nelson.]
The love Paul spoke of was not an option but a basis; something foundational in our lives. This a reflection of Christ. No one would have looked at Jesus and thought he was just going through the motions of ministry because that's what the Father in heaven told Him to do or expected Him to do. Because all He did was based in love it was genuine and sincere.
So much of what is considered love today is emotion driven, to serve and satisfy self. When self is no longer served, what is referred to as love waivers, gives way and brokenness and pain soon follow. However, agape love is not a love driven by emotion; it's giving of self – the very act of self-denial - for the sake of someone else. Agape is an unconditional, selfless love. It doesn't change and waver. It's giving without expecting anything back. It's loving, even when it is rejected. It's sacrificing, giving, all encompassed serving; it's a brother or sister saying, "I'm all in on your behalf!" It's a forfeiture of your rights or privilege on behalf of another. This is Christ in us, working and changing us. Our sinful self doesn't like to be given away. Our fallen self has selfish motivation.
Strangely enough, the word agape is not always used to speak of a godly love, though it might seem that way. John uses it to describe man's love for sin and the world. Men agape darkness. Men agape sin and the world. The world has its agape also; a counterfeit of the real thing. Mankind can be sold out to the world, all in, giving of themselves to the causes of men. The world's agape is underlined by actions that glorify men and ultimately glorify self in rebellion to God.
1 Corinthians 13:2
Paul speaks makes a similar point using hyperbole about the use of the gifts of prophesy and faith. Imagine that one could prophecy, perfectly understanding every mystery and have all knowledge of God's ways and the application within each life. Yet, to do so without love, resulted in nothing. Imagine faith as Jesus spoke of that could move mountains. Yet, strong faith without love posted a goose egg, nothing, nada. Without love these things were done for selfish motives, to show off, to earn accolades of men, to try to earn points with God.
Love flipped it over though. Without love these things resulted in, "I am nothing." So done in love, does that mean, "I am something?" I am something, when I've given all for others. This was what Jesus taught the disciples when they sought greatness and to be elevated among men.
What was it you disputed among yourselves on the road?" 34 But they kept silent, for on the road they had disputed among themselves who would be the greatest. 35 And He sat down, called the twelve, and said to them, "If anyone desires to be first, he shall be last of all and servant of all."
[The New King James Version (Mk 9:33–35). (1982). Thomas Nelson.]
Someone once said truth without love is brutality. The truth of mankind's sin against God is harsh and cold without the knowledge of his love for us. That harsh truth delivered without love is like standing on a street corner and declaring everyone is going to hell. But to deliver the same message in love as a means to present the gospel message has meaning and purpose.
Likewise, Paul said that faith without love is also nothing. We were told by Jesus to have faith. In fact, He spoke of a faith that could move mountains.
If you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you.
[The New King James Version (Mt 17:20). (1982). Thomas Nelson.]
In the Babylonian Talmud, the great Rabbis were called "rooters up of mountains" because of their faith. They were seen as men who knew did great things without boundaries. Yet, without love, bare bones faith is nothing. Without love, nothing I've done adds any value to my life or anyone else's life.
Barclay said, "Faith without love is cold, and hope without love is grim."
1 Corinthians 13:3
As I can make a lot of noise apart from love that amounts to nothing; as I display prophetic gifts, knowledge and faith without love they are nothing; so I can also give all I have away, even my body, but without love, it is meaningless. Even giving myself away isn't love, if done for the wrong reason. It leads to nothing lasting, valuable or eternal. It is giving, serving and sacrificing to lift up another, save another, deliver a brother or sister, encourage them or bless them in some way.
To sum up the first three verses, any gift or service minus love equals nothing.
We know the story of the rich young ruler who was told by Jesus to go give all his possessions away. Jesus knew, his love of money was greater than his love for Jesus. Even If he could bring himself to give everything he owned to the poor, it still wouldn't be enough it if was done without love.
There were many in Paul's time that believed that sacrifice and martyrdom was to be desired. That's what Paul is referring to here when he said, 'though I give my body to be burned' This might be burned up in martyrdom or it could be branded with a hot iron. Either way, the sacrifice of the body without love profits nothing.
If you went to the First Church of Corinth on Main street you would find people doing all kinds of spiritual and religious things. They were talking the language of church; they looked like a church; they did many things that churches do. But were they really a church if they had no love? Paul is telling us the answer is no.
Every one of the Corinthian Christians knew love if they were in Christ. They came to know God's amazing grace and understood it in the face of their sinfulness. They had experienced an amazing and inexplicable love. However, mankind has the ability to quickly forget things, to move on. In our going about life from day to day, it's easy to seek life on our terms, set aside the love we experienced in Christ and never share that same love with others.
Every person could and would offer reasons – life, business, family, kids, etc. But if we really thought about it, are we offering any more than excuses. Can we make a case we don't have time to love? At work, at home, at the workplace, at church?
- It is love that turned these from useless to useful.
- It is love that gave some eternal benefit.
- It is working the gifts outward, to build up another that gave them worth.
- It is in the motivation of profiting others that we find profit.
The disciples disputed along the road who was greatest. Jesus later asked them about it but they went quiet. It was a teaching moment in which Jesus began:
If anyone desires to be first, he shall be last of all and servant of all."
[The New King James Version (Mk 9:35). (1982). Thomas Nelson.]
1 Corinthians 13:4-7
Paul begins to remove the excuses we tend to offer. He describes a love that has nothing to do with feelings. The love Paul is talking about is not some abstract idea. It is very real and it's visible in actions. This is a love that describes Jesus. Paul starts out with 2 actions that define agape.
- Love suffers long; translated patience in other translations. This is the passive aspect of love; it's not doing something that the flesh or self would normally demand. It is to be slow to avenge and to persevere patiently and bravely.
- It's not road raging when someone drives dangerously.
- It's not offering feedback when someone takes the parking spot ahead of you.
- Love is kind. This speaks of being gentle in behavior. This is the active aspect of love. This is action that isn't normal to humanity because it serves others instead of self. As Christ grows us, this can become more natural. This is the only place in the bible this word for 'kind' shows up.
- Our kindness tends to go toward those who we deem worthy.
- What about those who are hateful or mean?
- Smile, be polite. Bless them. Surprise them.
A soft answer turns away wrath,
But a harsh word stirs up anger.
2 The tongue of the wise uses knowledge rightly,
But the mouth of fools pours forth foolishness.
3 The eyes of the Lord are in every place,
Keeping watch on the evil and the good.
[The New King James Version (Pr 15:1–3). (1982). Thomas Nelson.]
The Corinthians were impatient in their gatherings. They were envious of each other over the gifts. Many were full of pride and when they came together as a fellowship. They were rude and self-serving. When you picture all that was going on in this church, it becomes clear that it was a mess.
It is sin and our self-serving nature that keeps us from love. When love is expressed with proper motivation, whether passive or active, it looks like Christ. As Paul continues, he attempts to describe the fullness of this love. He now tells us what it is not.
- It is not Envious; Envy is listed among the works of the flesh in Galatians 5:19. It's to be jealous of another. It is at the root of division and leads to other sin. The tenth commandment is, "You shall not covet." It is jealousy over someone's success of life situation. It is envy that believes that blowing another's candle out somehow makes yours burn brighter.
- Agape rejoices in the blessings of others.
- It does not parade itself, nor is it puffed up; this is the desire to obtain adoration from others. It is to put your self-worth on display to parade it for all to see. To 'parade' is to be boastful; 'puffed up' is pride and arrogance. It is an inflated ego, thinking much of one's self to parade for others to admire you.
- Agape love is rooted in humility. Not thinking less of yourself, but thinking of yourself less and others more.
- Agape parades others, elevates them, celebrates them.
The next two seem to go together. To be rude to others is a kind of self-serving; both oppose kindness.
- It is not Rude; this is a failure to show respect and honor toward others. It is taking the best seats, the best food, being the first in line. By regarding self alone, others are disregarded and subsequently hurt.
- Agape honors the dignity of all men as they are created in the image of God. It honors others and lifts them up.
- It is not self-serving; this is to demand your own way. This was happening in the Corinthians worship setting. They were being rude on one hand and demanding worship as they saw fit; even if it interfered with others worship.
- Years ago, in a different church, there was a lady that seemed to want to be the center of attention. On days when her back was hurting, she would lay down on the floor in the middle of worship. While this may have helped her back, it was distracting to others worship.
- Agape love is sacrificial, willing to give of self as needed.
Differing scholars translated and divide these words differently. These next could be paired, or possibly grouped with the previous two. This might be thought of as dealing with the rude or self-serving.
- It is not provoked; to be provoked is to be easily angered or irritable. We live in a world looking for a reason to be offended. You can't walk around with a chip on your shoulder as a Christian.
- Agape love is to be a peacemaker; a healer of the breeches.
- It thinks no evil; this is not keeping accounts on people. It is our human tendency to have a long memory of those we think we owe. We carry hateful baggage around as if that will benefit us, shield us or protect us in some way. It's an ugly coat of pride.
- Agape doesn't keep a scorecard.
- Peter asked Jesus how many times he had to forgive those who sinned against him. Jesus said, "I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven." (Mt 18:22)
The next two seemed to be paired by the word rejoice, however, they are not the same word in the Greek. 'Rejoicing in truth' transitions from what agape isn't to what it is.
- It doesn't rejoice in iniquity; there can be no sense of joy in the fall of another. It is our sinful nature that can find satisfaction in the failure of another, in their shame or embarrassment. It is our sin to judge them as deserving failure; it becomes our sin to gossip over these things.
- Agape grieves sin and the affects of sin on people's lives.
This begins the list of positive characteristics of love.
- It does rejoice in truth; this speaks of the gospel message. Jesus said, "And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." And Jesus prayed to the father, "Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth." And of course, Jesus said He was the truth.
- Corinth was rejoicing in self to the exclusion of the truth they proclaimed.
The list of positive characteristics of agape love continues.
- It bears all things; it doesn't wither when the road gets long or difficult. When conditions go from bad to worse, agape remains constant.
- Believes all things; it offers the benefit of the doubt; looking for the best in people instead of the worst.
- Hopes all things; agape displays a confidence in the promises of God.
- Endures all things; hardships and persecution will come; love does not just endure but remains steadfast and strong. It doesn't just survive, but thrives, because that's when it is needed.
Like the Corinthians, we tend to justify bearing most things; believing a few things and hoping in some things. But agape bears, believes and endures all things. Peter would tell us:
8 And above all things have fervent love for one another, for "love will cover a multitude of sins." [The New King James Version (1 Pe 4:8). (1982). Thomas Nelson]
One commentary put it this way:
Love has a tenacity in the present, buoyed by its absolute confidence in the future, that enables it to live in every kind of circumstance and continually to pour itself out in behalf of others.
[Fee, G. D. (1987). The First Epistle to the Corinthians (p. 640). Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co.]
Points to remember:
- Love is virtuous but without pomp. Displayed without parade. Elevates instead of being elevated.
1 Corinthians 13:8-10
Love never fails. Never is a long time. The phrase literally means love never falls to the ground, run off course or fade away. The bible uses the word to talk about the stars that will fall down and a ship that was blown off course. Lover never fails like Jesus never fails. We don't have to wonder if under certain circumstances Jesus might fail us. We don't have fret whether our salvation will hold up when that day comes. We can enjoy that rest, enjoy his love for us; perfect, stable and everlasting.
If love never fails, why then are there so many divorces, destroyed families and brokenness? It's not because love failed, but because people fail to love. We suffer from an unwillingness to serve, to sacrifice, to give of self. We live in a world where personal satisfaction and happiness trump all else. Marriage vows are discarded, commitments abandoned, families blown up and blame placed to justify a desire for happiness. News flash; no one guaranteed you wealth, health and happiness. The worldly pursuit of happiness to the exclusion of others tells the story of the spiritual state of many.
The gifts of prophecy, tongues and knowledge along with all the others will one day vanish away. They are temporary tools for an imperfect world. These gifts serve as a means of delivering agape love, of edifying our brothers and sisters. It seems the love establishing something everlasting. The gifts of themselves are nothing and will not last.
When that which is perfect has come, then all these gifts will go away, because they'll no longer be needed. Jesus is 'that which is perfect'. His appearing will be the perfecting of our faith, the culmination of our hope. This will mark the end of the church age. The gifts won't be needed to testify of Christ and the hope He brings; He will display that. However, for now, prophecy, tongues, knowledge and all the gifts continue.
Points to remember:
- Love is virtuous but without pomp. Displayed without parade. Elevates instead of being elevated.
- Love never fails. It's the more excellent way, the better way of ministering in gifts.
1 Corinthians 13:11-12
There is a time and place for childish things. Childish things are okay when you are a child but that season passes. When we outgrow childhood, those childish things have to go away. The child Paul speaks of is a work meaning a 3 or 4-year-old whose world is small. Their cares revolve around here and now. Their energy extended toward self, happiness first; but is beginning to learn to extend love to others. This picture portrays the gifts and their use to the activity of a toddler. Our spiritual 'growing up' will be when the Lord appears. We'll leave behind those gifts and never give them another thought like the old childhood toys put away for the last time. The gifts we are using today are like childish things that we'll someday outgrow.
The gifts give us glimpse toward the future; an opportunity to be Christlike today in the wonder of what this 'growing up' will be like. The gifts are important and we are expected to use them, they are gifts from the Holy Spirit. We are also expected to keep them in their proper place and use them with a proper attitude; always with the undercurrent of love. We should be mature in the use of our gifts but in reality, we will mature beyond them some day. We will look back on this time of using gifts and it will look like childhood and mere child's play. Karl Barth explained this with a simple image:
"Because the sun rises all lights are extinguished."
In Paul's time, some of the best mirrors were made in Corinth. Yet, we would look at those mirrors and laugh. You could see your reflection but it was distorted, dark and hard to make out. A mirror of polished metal became dull and tarnished and the image was even further distorted. That's what Paul is referring to in verse 12. For now, we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Our understanding of the Lord is like seeing him in a bad mirror.
A time is coming when we will see Him face to face. Imagine that! All the things we think we know now will look so small to us when we stand before Him. We'll see Jesus face to face. That really is an incredible promise. All our questions will be answered. We'll understand this agape' love because He will be right before us.
Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. 3 And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.
[The New King James Version (1 Jn 3:2–3). (1982). Thomas Nelson.]
Today, we are children of God, that's pretty amazing in itself. As sons of God, we have access to Him. We can call on Him any time. His presence is with us and we are in Him. We know the king and we have access to the throne room. We can go there anytime and lay our burdens before the throne of Grace. As incredible as that is, it's just the beginning. As real and amazing as these things are to us, they are just a dim and distorted view.
All we have now is nothing compared to 'face to face' access we will have. This 'face to face' represents the complete relationship. There is nothing hidden. It will be complete and perfect. We really have no concept of what that means, because it hasn't been revealed what we shall be. We will be able to stand before Him because we will have traded in the corruptible bodies for the incorruptible. Our bodies of flesh and sin will have passed away. We will stand before Him in our glorified bodies. We will be made perfect in Christ. This life isn't reality. We are just passing through this time. Reality is coming in eternity. When Jesus is revealed, we know we'll be like Him and we'll see Him. That is so cool.
Paul said, "Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known." God sees our face and our heart but we only see Him in part. We are incapable in our sinful state. The shame of our sinful nature would be the death of us if we stood before his perfection. God sees us clothed in Christ. That's how we are known by God. And the day is coming when we will come to a full understanding of Him.
1 Corinthians 13:13
Now, Paul says, armed with the knowledge of this coming day; this coming face to face with God; and knowing that Love never fails and that it is the overriding principle of all we do; Paul says, abide in faith, hope and love. The greatest is love and this is Paul's more excellent way. He showed it to the Corinthians and we've seen it now.
What keeps us from abiding these things? What keeps us from growing in our love for others?
The Saints of Corinth needed to quit worrying about prophecy, tongues, miracles and all the other gifts as well as the other things dividing them. They were going to spend eternity together! Their lives needed to be principled on faith, hope and love.
- Faith will no longer be needed when Jesus comes because we will be standing before the object of our faith. Faith will have served its purpose and moved on.
- Hope will no longer be necessary because our hope will be fulfilled. There will be no more wondering when or how. Hope will have served its purpose and passed away.
- Love is eternal, everlasting. When we stand before the Lord someday, we will still love and be loved. We will continue to grow and learn to love the Lord in new ways. It never fails, it never ceases. It is the more excellent way.
This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.
[The New King James Version (Jn 15:12). (1982). Thomas Nelson.]
The One in which we find hope came to us by way of love. The One in which we have faith for our salvation and redemption, made a way for us by His act of great love. Read the chapter again substituting Jesus for the word love. To be rooted in love is to be Christlike.
10 In this the children of God and the children of the devil are manifest: Whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is he who does not love his brother.
[The New King James Version (1 Jn 3:10). (1982). Thomas Nelson.]
Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. 8 He who does not love does not know God, for God is love. 9 In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him.
[The New King James Version (1 Jn 4:7–9). (1982). Thomas Nelson.]
For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, 15 from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, 16 that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, 17 that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height—19 to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.
[The New King James Version (Eph 3:14–19). (1982). Thomas Nelson.]
©2006, 2010, 2016, 2022 Doug Ford, Calvary Chapel Sweetwater
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