The Greatest Gift Is Love

– First Corinthians Thirteen –

 

   First Corinthians chapter thirteen describes the more excellent gifts. They are faith, hope and love. Paul wrote, "And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity." (I Corinthians 13:13) The word "charity" in our King James Bible is the word "love" in many other translations. Anything you do without love is meaningless. If a person could speak with angelic tongues or understand all of life's mysteries or had mountain moving faith without love it would still be nothing.

 

   God inspired Paul to give us this beautiful description of love. "Love is kind and patient, never jealous, boastful, proud, or rude. Love is not selfish or quick tempered. It does not keep a record of wrongs that others do. Love rejoices in the truth, but not in evil. Love is always supportive, loyal, hopeful, and trusting. Love never fails!" (I Corinthians 13:4-8)

 

   Love never fails or ends. This is unlike the gifts of prophecy, tongues and all of the miraculous gifts that ended with the completion of the New Testament.  We must not search for that which is temporary and imperfect, like miraculous gifts, but rather we should search for that love that is very permanent, now and in eternity. "Now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity." 

 

   The importance of love – I Corinthians 13:1-3: The Corinthian brethren were having problems dealing with spiritual gifts. Paul said the solution to the problem would be that they should pursue love, "the more excellent gift." The church is many members (I Corinthians 12:12-26) but it is "one body." There were a number of spiritual miraculous gifts given in the early church. But the “more excellent gift” or the "better" gift is love. Without love nothing that a Christian does has any true and lasting value. The gifts of tongues, knowledge, faith or even great personal sacrifice are meaningless without love. Love should be pursued by Christians everywhere.  

 

   Love takes precedence over (a) eloquence in speech, (b) prophecy, (c) understanding mysteries, (d) knowledge, (e) faith, (f) giving, and (g) self sacrifice. Without love these things are nothing. In God's word we are taught to love one another. "But as touching brotherly love ye need not that I write unto you: for ye yourselves are taught of God to love one another." (I Thessalonians 4:9) We are also taught to speak the truth in love. "But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ." (Ephesians 4:15) God taught us to love by sending his Son as a sacrifice for our sins. "We love him, because he first loved us." (I John 4:19) Love is "the more excellent way." (I Corinthians 12:31)

 

   The description of love – I Corinthians 13:4-8: These verses provide a brief description of love in action. God approaches love from both a negative and a positive point of view. "Love is kind and patient, never jealous, boastful,   proud, or rude. Love isn't selfish or quick tempered. It doesn't keep a record of wrongs that others do. Love rejoices in the truth, but not in evil. Love is always supportive, loyal, hopeful, and trusting. Love never fails!" The Corinthians were not using their spiritual gifts wisely because of a lack of love. 

 

   Love is an edifying thing. (I Corinthians 8:1) The spiritual gifts, also given for edification, were being misused by the Corinthians. (I Corinthians 14:3-5) The characteristics of love, when applied in our lives will make us Christ-like and godly people. Peter wrote. "And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins." (I Peter 4:8) Charity or love covers a multitude of sins. Many of the qualities of love are also a part of that list called the "Fruit of the Spirit" in Galatians 5:22-23. "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law."

 

   The unperishable nature of love – I Corinthians 13:8-10: Love is said to "never fail," though the miraculous spiritual gifts were to be made "null" or "useless" in time. "Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away." (I Corinthians 13:8) Love will never cease to be even after the spiritual gifts have long ago passed away.

 

   Paul said that prophecies would fail. To fail," means "to render idle, inactive, inoperative, no further efficiency, to cause to cease." The miraculous gift of prophecy would pass away after the New Testament was completed because at that point there would be no more need for those spiritual gifts. Tongues would "cease or "leave off" for the same reason. The sign of tongues is no longer needed now that we have our completed Bible. What is called "tongues" today is nothing akin to the miraculous gift of tongues described in the New Testament. The miraculous gift of knowledge would also vanish away. This is the same word as for "fail." These in part things were to vanish away when "that which is perfect is come." We are not left to guess what "the perfect" is describing. James wrote, "But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed." (James 1:25) The completed Bible is the only perfect thing that we have in the world today.

 

   The permanence of love – I Corinthians 13:11-13: The miraculous spiritual gifts were not signs of maturity in Christ. Those gifts were only a means by which that maturity was pursued. The miraculous spiritual gifts were temporary like the things of childhood. "When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things. For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known." Those miraculous spiritual gifts were temporary and are longer needed today. "Prophecy, and tongues only allowed them to see through a glass darkly. When the perfect Word of God was completed, then all Christians would have the opportunity to see clearly."

 

   The chapter concluded with one of the truly great Bible statements, "And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity." (I Corinthians 13:13) Hebrews 11:1 shows us why faith would abide. "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." (Hebrews 11:1) Hope abides because it is the anticipation of what faith expects. Love abides forever because it is the very nature of the new life.

 

   Are you a faithful member of the one body of Christ? To become a Christian you must hear the gospel (Romans 10:17), believe in Jesus (John 8:24), repent of sins (Acts 17:30), confess Christ as Lord (Acts 8:37), and be baptized to be saved. (I Peter 3:21) The new life in Christ is a glorious hopeful and helpful life! The life of a Christian is truly a life of love for God and love for others.

 

- - - - Charles Box

 

News & Notes

 

1. Prayer List: Baptist South Medical Center: Donald Davis, Georgiana Hospital: Jerry Thomas (brother of Jeff Thomas), Stabler Hospital: Rhonda Thomas (sister-in-law of Jeff Thomas). In Need Of Prayers: Linda Adams (surgery), Jimmy Allen (1065 Arrowhead Drive, Prattville, AL 36067), Joe Barrett (nephew of Lomax Owens – surgery in Germany), Mae Beverly, Nelson Daughtry, Ruth Davis (eye surgery), Mac Diamond, Birdie Lee Godwin, Roy Goodwin, Montine Hardin, Evan Hartsell, Linda Holley, Mary Lawrence, Dee Matthews, Gary Moore, Jo Ann Moorer, Curtis Newton, Mary Powell, Austin Shows, Robbie Starkie (son of Eleanor Stabler), Lane Strickland, Harold Thompson, Alma Ward (mother of Bill Ward), Richard Watts, Johnnie Wesley, and Mary Williams. Crowne Health Care: Mary Alexander, Gladys Childs, Kathy Johnson, Wallace Murry, Myrtle Perdue, and Iva Lou Wright. Pine Needle: Mary Lou Phelps. Homewood Greenville: Marie Walton. Georgiana Nursing Facility: Helen Autrey, and Doris Pierce. Shut-Ins: Emma Lee Gafford, Jean Hayes, and Doris Taylor.

 

2. Requesting Our Prayers: Tiffany Till responded to our Lord’s invitation. Please remember her in your personal, private prayers.

 

3. Sympathy Expressed: Our love and sympathy is expressed to Kenneth Smith and his family in the death of his aunt, Dorothy Sorrells.

 

4. Please Pray For: The following people are serving in Iraq: Taylor Bodie, Todd Till and Paul Fullington. Pray for them often! Michael Howell is now safely home from Iraq and his family thanks you for praying for him.

 

5. Visiting Speaker: Our Elders have invited Bobby Wood from Conyers, Georgia to visit as a special guest speaker on January 27^th. He will teach a combined Adult Bible Class and preach Sunday morning.

 

6. Birthdays: January 17^th Jesse Mae Powell and Vivian Taylor, and January 18^th Adrianna Bagents.

 

7. Thanks To: Dear Walnut Street Family, I would like to thank all of you for your visits, calls, cards, and prayers. The love of my church family helped a lot during this time. Please continue to pray for me. In Christian Love, Ann Cauthen

 

8. Ladies Bible Class: All ladies are invited to participate in the Wednesday morning class each week at 10:00 a.m. See Joan Barr for a book or other details.

 

9. Radio Programs: Remember to hear our programs on WKXN 95.9 Sunday at 8:00 a.m., and at 8:30 a.m. Sunday & then Monday through Friday at 12:30 on Q94 94.3.

 

10. The Reporter: “The Reporter” can be viewed on our web-site or received by e-mail. Send your e-mail request to:  wschurchofchrist@camelliacom.com. If you receive the Reporter by mail and would be willing to receive the e-mail version we would be grateful as postage is so expensive.   The website address is: http:\\www.walnutstreetchurchofchrist.org.

 

11. Dishes In The All-Purpose Room: Please pick up any dishes that are yours that have been left in the all purpose room.

 

12. Put These Dates On Your Calendar: (a) January 18^th-20^th – Singles Seminar – University Church of Christ, Montgomery – Theme: “Successful Christian Living” – Speaker: Matt Vega – Time 6:00 p.m. Friday & 8:30 a.m. Saturday – Cost $25.00, (b) January 25^th – Singing – Elba Church of Christ – 7:00 – 8:30 p.m. (c) February 1^st-2^nd – Financial Management Seminar – Walnut Street Church of Christ – Dwayne Wilson – Time Friday 6:00 – 9:00 p.m. and Saturday 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m., and 1:00 – 4:00 p.m. Lunch will be provided, (d) February 16^th – Ladies Day – Century Church of Christ – Theme: “Joy Deep in My Heart” – Speaker: Becky Blackmon – Time: 9:00 a.m., (e) February 22^nd – 24^th – Yes Weekend 2008 – Forrest Park Church of Christ Valdosta, Georgia, (f) March 30^th – April 3^rd – Memphis School of Preaching Lectures – Theme: “Strengthening The Heart”, (g) June 22^nd-26^th – Vacation Bible School – Walnut Street Church of Christ, and (h) July 6^th-13^th – Backwoods Christian Camp – Please participate!

 

Without A Doubt

 

   In my Wednesday night teen class, we've been studying Kyle Butt's “Out with Doubt” material, and I've really begun to appreciate the idea of destroying unnecessary doubts in my life. There's really no reason to go through life doubting things for which there is ample evidence and clarity. So, as this year begins, consider yourself challenged to do away with needless doubts and develop a sure and confident mindset.

 

   First, do everything you can to expel any doubts that you may have regarding God and your faith. The Hebrew writer said, "And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who seek Him" (Hebrews 11:6). Faith in God consists of believing in all of God's promises. In one of Kyle's lessons he says that "God does not expect us to believe anything for which there is not ample evidence." If your faith in God is riddled with doubts, dig deep this year to find the solid confirmations that await you.

 

   Next, strive to eliminate doubts in the way you live your life. Do your thoughts, words, and actions reflect the pattern that you know Christ wants you to follow?  Do you constantly have to wonder whether or not your practices are pleasing to the Lord? Perhaps it is the case that you are certain He is not pleased with parts of your life. Don't live with that kind of doubt…the kind that could cost you the only thing that really matters…heaven.

 

   Finally, let today be the day that you dedicate yourself to God so ardently that you are sure you will be able to repeat Paul's familiar statement, "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that Day" (II Timothy 4:7-8). If you have doubts about your eternal destiny, understand that God does not want it to be that way. John wrote, "I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God that you may know that you have eternal life" (I John 5:13). Doubt is a fierce enemy of faith, and without faith it is "impossible to please Him."

 

- - - - Darrell Powell

 

 

Don’t just own a Bible; read it!

 

Walnut Street Church of Christ

P.O. Box 551

Greenville, Alabama 36037-0551

(334-382-3001)