1 Corinthians 12:31 “But earnestly desire the best gifts. And yet I show you a more excellent way.”
As the Apostle Paul wraps up talking about spiritual gifts, he says there is a more excellent way. What is the more excellent way? The more excellent way is the way of LOVE. While we might want to know what LOVE is, the Apostle Paul will tell us what LOVE does (and does not do) in 1 Corinthians 13, known as the LOVE chapter.
1 Corinthians 13:1 If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3 If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing.
4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.
5 It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.
7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
8 Love never fails.
Having told us what LOVE does (and does not do) he will issue a few calls to put love into action.
1 Corinthians 13:13 And now these three remain: faith, hope, and love. But the greatest of these is love.
1 Corinthians 14:1 Pursue love
1 Corinthians 16:14 Let all that you do be done with love.
The better way, even better than the use of our spiritual gift, is to love. So, as we end a year and start a new year let us put LOVE into action with all our relationships.
For example:
John 13:34 “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another.
Colossians 3:19 Husbands, love your wives and do not be bitter toward them.
Proverbs 17:17 A friend loves at all times, And a brother is born for adversity.
Hebrews 13:1 Let brotherly love continue.
Luke 6:35 “But love your enemies, do good, and lend, hoping for nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High. For He is kind to the unthankful and evil.
Leviticus 19:18 ‘You shall not take vengeance, nor bear any grudge against the children of your people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the LORD.
Leviticus 19:34 ‘The stranger who dwells among you shall be to you as one born among you, and you shall love him as yourself; for you were strangers in the land of Egypt: I am the LORD your God.
How will you LOVE differently in the coming year?
Continue Strong doing everything with love,
And Remember to Date the Word