Excellence of Love

In 1 Corinthians 13, Paul spoke of God's love being the most important thing in the life of a believer--which must have been a shock even to the believers to whom it was addressed.  Paul began the chapter with examples of radical personal sacrifice and supernatural power, yet without God's love it such acts were empty and worthless.  Let us consider Paul's claims one at a time to see how exquisite and amazing God's love truly is above what is commonly valued in the world and church alike.

1 Corinthians 13:1 says, "Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal."  In Paul's day, the Greeks were known for their famous orators who were masters of the "persuasive arts."  In public speaking, they utilised the pillars of credibility, emotion and logic to develop persuasive arguments to sway men to their side.  For all their skill in rhetoric these men did not speak in the tongues of angels, yet even if they did their powers of persuasion would be like a clanging cymbal without love.  People drew near to orators at Mars Hill to hear a new thing out of curiosity, but their fine words without love were jarring, senseless noise that would drive people away.

Paul continued in 1 Corinthians 13:2, "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, but have not love, I am nothing."  Prophets were revered and respected in Israel, for the LORD instructed, warned and spoke to His people of what was to come through their testimony.  To operate in a prophetic gift, to understand all mysteries and have all knowledge would be most notable, for even Solomon in His glory did not reach such heights.  The person who had all faith and could miraculously remove mountains would be treated as a god by some, yet without love this one with all faith in God would be nothing.

1 Corinthians 13:3 concluded, "And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing."  People who do not do so themselves respect those who gives generously to people in need.  Paul said if he was to give all his goods to feed the poor and even gave his body to be burned to death, without love it would not profit him at all.  All the respect and honour he may receive from men would be worthless, and he would gain no heavenly position or reward from his torment.  Without God's love, all his giving and sacrifice would not benefit him at all.  He could save lives from starvation and sacrifice his own body with great pain, yet without love it would only mean loss.

It is amazing how the love of God in the life of a believer affects the words we speak, the things we do, and how we give.  Having received the love of God through the Gospel and the indwelling Holy Spirit, all Christians are able to walk in love towards all--even our enemies.  Not all have the same role in the church, and everyone does not share the same spiritual gifts, but we all are blessed to love God and love one another.  Loving others persuades others to consider Christ who first loved us, and though we may not be gifted in prophecy, we lack knowledge or faith, we are still useful servants of God by His love shown through us.  Because Jesus so loved us and lay down His life for our sakes, we benefit greatly presently and in the life to come by loving and serving others as we walk in His ways.  God's love guides us in the most excellent way to live.