Loves Importance 1 Corinthians 13:1-13 Without genuine biblical love, life is empty; good deeds are performed in vain; self-sacrifice is unprofitable (v.3). Without biblical love, even those spiritual gifts bestowed upon the early church amounted to nothing (vv.1-2). True love is inseparable from faith and hope, and God says this love is indispensable (v.13). A careful look at verses 4-8 reveals how important love is in giving the believer victory over the flesh as well as grace to manifest the spirit of Christ to others. Verse four tells us that love provides needed patience and kindness; it is willing to bear what would ordinarily anger. It deals with pride in the heart and life exalts Christ, not self. Verse five explains that love promotes godly behavior rather than fleshly gratification, develops unselfishness, accepts offense graciously and patiently, and triumphs over wrong thinking. Verse six sets forth the important principle that love does not ignore nor belittle the truth but rejoices in it-it always draws a line between iniquity and truth. How wonderful true, biblical love is! It carries the heaviest loads, builds faith in Gods Word, increases our confidence in all of Gods dealings with His own, and gives us the endurance we so desperately need in these last days (v.7). And, the first three words of verse eight state simply that love never fails. How could any believer possibly minimize the importance of love when God has spoken so plainly, so definitely? The problem is this: Too many have been deceived by false teachings concerning love, and too few are manifesting Gods definition of love in their own lives and ministries. God wants us not only to understand biblical love but also to practice it in our lives.
Posted on: Thu, 04 Sep 2014 21:44:24 +0000
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