1 Corinthians 13_1-2
December 13
Happy Thursday Everyone,
1 Corinthians 13:1-2 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not love, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling 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, and have not love, I am nothing.
In the wonderful chapter of 1 Corinthians 13, love is defined in detail. Our text today, which begins that chapter, lets us know clearly that without love, "I am nothing." 1 John 4:8 says that "God is love." The Greek word that is translated 'love' in that text is the same word that is translated 'love' in our scripture for today. That word is 'agape'. It is love that comes from God. It is the spiritual expression of God Himself.
A person can experience many kinds of warm and tender feelings, but those are not agape. Agape is not a feeling. A person can be moved to do sacrificial things, but that also is not necessarily agape. A person can be a powerful speaker, insightful, and intelligent, commanding the attention of the masses; but, without agape, it is meaningless. Agape cannot be produced from human emotions or reasoning. Its only source is God. It is because of God's love that we have the privilege of life and the opportunity to live with Him eternally. We did nothing to deserve it, but love required it and God gave it.
When God looks upon us (and He does continuously) what He desires to see is the reflection of Himself in us. Love received from God, when expressed through us, shows the world the very nature of God. That is the life that Jesus Christ our Savior presented to the world during His sojourn here on earth. He is our example. The path He walked was a path of love and we are invited to follow Him on that path, reflecting the very nature of God. It may seem like a very tall order for mere humans, but we are not mere humans; we are the children of the Most High God. Our life is not our own; the life we live is the life He gives. When we filled with the spiritual expression of God Himself we can never fail because "Love never fails." 1 Corinthians. 13:8
God bless you as you continue in His service.
Tim