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Mustard Seed September/October 2008
Repentance and the Feast of Trumpets
The Love Chapter
Mustard Seed - September/October 2008
One of the most profound scriptures in the Bible that has always fascinated, moved and shaped my life has been I Cor.13 (called The Love Chapter). During the course of my life, “Love” has been the thing that has kept me going forward; despite many set-backs, obstacles and disappointments! As a teenager when I was called I could not fully grasp how powerful Love would play out in my life---life was rather meaningless! Love is what makes us tick; it’s something we respond to—something we desperately need in order to grow, because it creates Godly character in us!
In this cold and impersonal world that we live in today; let’s briefly look at the moving words that the Apostle Paul said that we as God’s elect need to have, in order to truly grow to our full potential, becoming ‘God-like’ in character.
Starting in verse 1 Paul says that even if we have the ability to speak many fluent languages, but be devoid of Love-in us that would make that ability useless to inspire others in a Spiritual Way! In verse 2, he says that even if we have prophecies, powers, and understand the secret truths of God’s Word, including knowing God’s Word from Genesis to Revelation; including faith to move mountains, but lacks The Love of God; then it is all useless knowledge! Being generous to the poor & needy and even being burned up for Christ’s sake, but have no love in us, then we gain nothing!
As we go along, we will see what Paul is trying to tell us about ‘Love.’ In verse 4 he states that Love endures long, is patient, kind; Love is not envious of others, is not jealous or possessive, does not boast to flatter our human ego, is not haughty and stuck-up! Love is not conceited, arrogant and inflated with pride. Love is not rude, loud. Love does not insist on having it’s own way to gratify the self! It is not touchy, fretful or resentful of others. Love overlooks slights. Love forgives any wrong done to it…it holds no long-term grudges against someone. It does not rejoice in wrongdoing, injustice, unrighteousness, but rejoices when Truth & Right prevail. Love bears and holds-up under difficult circumstances that arise; it does not give up! Love believes in the best of every individual—knowing that none of us are perfect yet! Those who truly have Love in them will not let their hopes for the future fade away! Love will endure all-things; including death without ever weakening!
In verse 8 Paul makes the moving statement ‘ Love never fails, fades away or becomes obsolete. He further states that prophecies, knowledge, and other gifts will be fulfilled and pass away, but that when the complete (v. 10) and perfect comes; then the incomplete and imperfect will vanish away. In verse l2 Paul says that we now look into a mirror, but that we do not yet get a clear picture of everything (here a little & there a little—Isa. 28:20), but he says that ultimately when we are ‘Spiritually Mature,’ we will then clearly see God’s Purpose for us and that ‘Love’ will make us see that purpose clearly!
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