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

Gift of Languages

May 24, 2015 Background Scripture: Acts 2:1 – 21; 1 Corinthians 14:1 – 25 Lesson Passage: Acts 2:1 – 7, 12; 1 Corinthians 14:13 – 19 I believe that the gift of languages, or speaking in tongues, has been the most misunderstood of all of the spiritual gifts. The fact that Paul dedicated so much of this letter to the church at Corinth to address this topic is evidence that misunderstandings concerning the gift have been around a very long time. Today, the argument seems to revolve around whether a person can be saved and not have this particular gift. The bible describes two different types of speaking in tongues. Early in the book of Acts, the followers of Jesus were gathered in Jerusalem for prayer. Into this setting, the Holy Ghost came and endowed them with the gift of speaking in languages they had not previously learned. There was a group present in Jerusalem who heard them and recognized the languages to be their native tongues and not those of the speakers. What they spoke was clear to the hearers. The hearers heard them glorying God in their native tongue and wondered what it all meant. This is the only instance in the bible where unbelievers are described as understanding the languages of Christians speaking in unlearned languages. The other instances in the bible that reference Christians speaking in tongues accompanied salvation or the laying on of hands. In these instances, there is no reference to foreigners being present who understood the languages being spoken. In the fourteenth chapter of Paul’s first letter to the church at Corinth, Paul gives extensive treatment to the proper use and understanding of the gift of speaking in tongues. It should be noted that earlier in this letter Paul referenced speaking in tongues and the interpretation of tongues as both gifts that are given to some believers by the Holy Ghost. I emphasize “some believers” because Paul stated that the Holy Ghost gives the gifts according to his will. The scriptures do not teach that all believers receive the gift of speaking in tongues. In fact, Paul argued that the diversity of the gifts is what is to be appreciated and that Christians should know that all do not receive the same gifts. The purpose of some gifts seems obvious—such as the gift of healing. However, the purpose of the gift of languages or speaking in tongues is not obvious, therefore Paul expounded on this gift. Tongues are a sign to unbelievers because it is evidence that the invisible God is present and at work. In Jerusalem on the Day of Pentecost, the unsaved hearers heard the gift of languages as an acknowledgement of God’s divine presence. In Cornelius’ house, Peter heard the gift of languages as a sign that God extended salvation to Gentiles as well as to Jews. In Jerusalem, the gift of languages was a sign to the unsaved hearers. In Cornelius’ house the gift of languages was a sign to the unbelieving Apostle Peter who did not think that God would accept Gentiles. In both cases, the gift of languages served as a sign to dispel unbelief. I believe that Paul’s letter was encouragement to the Christians who had the gift of languages but also instructions so that they would not abuse the gift. It seems evident in the Pauline letter that after the Day of Pentecost, when the Holy Ghost made his arrival, the gift of tongues was to benefit a congregation only when someone with the gift of interpretation of tongues was present. Otherwise, the gift only serves the one who has it and it should not be used in an open assembly. Robert C. Hudson April 17, 2015