Monday, July 22, 2013

Part 4: Without God’s Love, Do We Have Jesus?

Chapter 13 of the apostle Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians, known widely as “The Love Chapter,” has given many generations an amazing description of what God’s love is really like, in deeply poetic, yet eminently practical terms.

The prologue to this famous chapter is also a beautifully and dramatically written expression, concerning the infinite value of God’s people, doing all that they do from a white hot core of true agape love.

This highly valued divine attribute is shown in extremely stark contrast, when compared by the apostle Paul, to any spiritual or religious activities, which could be and many times are, practiced without God’s love!

In the bright light of this Scriptural contrast, a deep impression is made on anyone who wants to make sure they are lined up with God’s will and showing the reality of Jesus in all they do!

Reading this section of Scripture reminds us of Paul’s concerns expressed earlier (1Corinthians 3) for the Corinthians, that they not go off track, seeking after things that look spiritual, but in the end become what he had already termed “wood, hay, and stubble” in his epistle.

Here in chapter 13, the great apostle reminds them and us, that things which look “spiritual” to the immature in the faith, are not of the Holy Spirit unless they are truly imbued completely with and saturated in the love of God!

The breadth of variety in the spiritual experiences which the apostle lists in these texts may be nothing more than his reflection on the current practices of the churches in the middle of the first century AD.

If so, they still offer to churches and to individual believers enough of a diversity, to be seen as applicable in many times and places that the Body of Christ is still active and flourishing.

Under the plenary inspiration of the Holy Spirit, Paul writes with tremendous insight and possibly prophetic foresight, looking through that darkened glass he mentions later in this same chapter, to see the excesses and the lack of love which has so sadly characterized many different denominations, churches, and Christians through the ages:

1 Corinthians 13:1 If I [can] speak in the tongues of men and [even] of angels, but have not love (that intentional, spiritual devotion such as is inspired by God’s love for and in us), I am only a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 And if I have prophetic powers (to directly communicate the divine will and purpose), and understand all the secret truths and mysteries and possess all knowledge, and if I have [sufficient] faith so that I can remove mountains, but have not love (God’s love in me) I am nothing (a useless nobody). 3 Even if I dole out all that I have [to the poor in providing] food, and if I surrender my body to be burned or in order that I may glory, but have not love (God’s love in me), I gain nothing.

Paul touches on several seemingly successful and properly focused avenues which any believer or gathering of disciples could go down, and be absolutely convinced they are most certainly following God’s will.

Unfortunately for any of them, and  for any of us who find ourselves caught in traps of this nature, these things can continue on and actually appear to the participants to be filled with power and life, yet still become nearly completely devoid of God’s agape love!

The gifts of the Spirit (or what looks like them) can be manifested, but if not in combination with love, they have no greater value than any other noises.

Prophetic insight and proclamation without love, the supernatural ability to discern even God’s deep mysteries, knowledge (whether spiritually or intellectually based) to give the greatest of teachings, and incredible faith that looks exactly like Jesus described it to be,  but when exercised or expressed with increasing lack of love, leaves that minister or church body to be considered as a useless nobody  or nothing in God’s sight.

This is especially true if they have a high opinion of themselves as somebody!

Paul has already focused his spiritual laser light onto this pride issue with the Corinthians, and has already made clear to them and to us that there is no substitute for God’s true agape love:

1 CORINTHIANS 8:1 Now about food offered to idols: of course we know that all of us possess knowledge [concerning these matters. Yet mere] knowledge causes people to be puffed up (to bear themselves loftily and be proud), but love (affection and goodwill and benevolence) edifies and builds up and encourages one to grow [to his full stature].

If anyone imagines that he has come to know and understand much [of divine things, without love], he does not yet perceive and recognize  and understand as strongly and clearly, nor has he become as intimately acquainted with anything as he ought or as is necessary.

But if one loves God truly [with affectionate reverence, prompt obedience, and grateful recognition of His blessing], he is known by God [recognized as worthy of His intimacy and love, and he is owned by Him].

Any church, congregation or leadership, can come to think that their generosity is a sure sign of their own goodness, and is worthy enough to recommend them for eternal rewards. The Bible clearly says in this powerful passage that even this is insufficient without love, and will not gain them heaven.

A martyr’s death was especially considered by the early church as the highest point of obedience and a sure sign of God’ eternal favor,  yet the apostle Paul says clearly to all of us that it must also be combined with and motivated by God’s love or that person will also fall short of the glory of God as well.

These Scriptures are not deriding, devaluing, nor denigrating any of these practices. They are of immeasurable value – when intimately bound together with, and then expressed fully in Jesus’ great love.

We are being called to be like Jesus as unique individuals, with our own unique mix of gifts and callings.

We are to grow in these gifts, becoming the special unique minister that fulfills God’s plan for each of us in this earth.

Love must be highest thing we learn and most noticeable quality we possess, as we walk through this life.

We are to become more like Jesus in all ways, yet certainly learning to love more and more as He did, above all else!

Neil Uniacke
Executive Director

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