The Greatest is Love

May 31, 2015 Background Scripture: 1 Corinthians 13 Lesson Passage: 1 Corinthians 13 Between Paul’s description of the diversity of spiritual gifts and his dissertation on the gift of speaking in tongues he inserted this sidebar on the abiding virtues. It has been said that Corinth had what could be described as the most spiritually gifted congregation presented in the scriptures. Ironically, Corinth also had the worst laundry list of moral failures attributed to a Christian church in the bible as well. How can members of a congregation be so spiritually gifted and yet live such ragged lives morally? Sometimes people mistake their spiritual gift for proof of their spiritual maturity. Newly saved Christians can have spiritual gifts and yet be spiritually immature. Spiritual maturity is demonstrated by living a life of benevolent love towards others. The exercise of spiritual gifts reaches its crescendo experience only when the gifted person walks in love. What’s love got to do with it? The love described in our lesson is not emotionally charged but instead it is fueled by the necessity to meet the physical needs of others. It is not enough just to pray for people if we can help them physically as well. Speaking in tongues to a hungry person will leave them hungry and confused. Sadly, Christians can feel good about themselves and their spiritual gifts and never extend a hand to help a fellow human being. The biblical accounts of the gospel are not just records of Jesus’ parables, sermons, and bible lessons. The gospel accounts actually describe many deeds that Jesus performed in addition to his statements. In fact, Jesus’ statements were often explanations of his deeds. The religious leaders did not criticize Jesus primarily because of what he said. Much of their criticism was directed towards Jesus’ actions. Paul reminds us in this letter that our works will be judged to determine our reward. We sing “Only what we do for Christ will last” but do we know what it means to do something for Christ? Jesus said that he takes it personally what people do towards those he considers the least in this world. Jesus talked about judging nations not because of whether they heal the sick, speak in tongues, or even preach a great sermon. Jesus said he will judge them based on whether they feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty, clothe the naked, visit the sick and imprisoned or take in strangers. If the nations will be judged based on their treatment of those who are often treated as society’s outcasts, how much more will Christians be put to shame for failing to demonstrate love to the same? Paul wrote about the fruitlessness of great exploits in the area of spiritual gifts or self-sacrifice when done in the absence of love. The bible teaches that it is impossible to please God without faith. But faith exercised in the absence of love will not profit us or bring us a reward. Faith and hope are so closely related that it is difficult to define one without referring to the other. Christians should have both because they are considered abiding virtues. When it seems that all else is gone, Christians should hold on to faith, hope, and love. The greatest of these is love. Robert C. Hudson April 17, 2015