First Corinthians 13

The Love Chapter. This passage is so familiar, I almost hesitate to state the obvious. But it cannot be said too many times. LOVE IS THE MORE EXCELLENT WAY!!!! Legalism, judgment, religious zeal, planning, vision, mission, evangelism, preaching, teaching--all of it is reduced in effectiveness if love is not present. Imagine if Jesus's life had been recorded in terms of bitterness and anger at having to do what God wanted. Instead, the record shows his patience and willingness to sacrifice. All religious effort is reduced to mechanical monotony without love.

How is love defined? By selflessness--concern for others. Religion becomes mean and hateful when it is about my acconmplishment or my eternal reward. Religion becomes useful when it is defined in terms of another's health and eternal reward. Paul reminds them that their petty squabbles over spiritual supremacy in worship (prophecy vs. tongues) reveals their lack of understanding of the true spiritual nature of their calling. Knowledge, whether worldly or heavenly, is of little value if it cannot be known in love.

When someone cares about me, I care about what they have to say.

And how many times do we struggle to emphasize the eternal over the temporal. Paul states that the knowledge of prophecy and spiritual gifts will fade, but the love we show and the selfless acts we live will last forever. That is a sobering thought when I consider all of the books on my bookshelves in my office. Knowledge is good for a time--then other books will be written. Love is good for eternity.