The Most Excellent Way

Thomas A. Kempis

Whoever loves much, does much

An Undying Love

Girl: “Do you love me?”

Boy: “Yes, Dear.”

Girl: “Would you die for me?”

Boy: “No. Mine is an undying love.”

What does the world say love is?

Sex, Caring about a person, or being willing to place them over yourself.

The last one is not a terrible definition.

Sex

What would happen if we always placed others before ourselves?

What if the opposite of love isn’t hatred, but selfishness?

A Hint of the More Excellent Way

The Excellent way is worth more than your gifting.

Interestingly Paul approaches the very same Spiritual gifts mentioned in the previous passages

Tongues and prophesy as if to say to the Corinthians, you think that is great! It is nothing at all! You are missing it!

The Excellent way is worth more than your Faith.

Prophesy

If we don’t have love then we cannot even be faithful!

The Excellent way is worth more than your body!

Attributes of the More Excellent Way

These attributes are a reflection in us of love that is only attainable through Christ!

Who is Love? God is Always…

The only way we can be is if He shows it through us.

Patient

Kind

Not Jealous

Not Braggadocios

Not Arrogant

Not Acting Unbecoming of Self

Not Seeking Self

Not provoked

Not keeping score

Rejoices in Truth

Bears all things

Believes all things

Hopes all things

Endures all things

Hatred is the Opposite!

The End Game of the More Excellent Way

Love never ends.

Prophesy will end. Tongues will end. Knowledge has an end.

Perfect love will outlast it all

We understand a bit what love is, but when we see Christ face to face, we will really know what love is.

Big Picture

tells of the Fruit of the Spirit.

If those combined with these are true, they do not show as decisions. Love is not a decision. We cannot wake up every morning to decide if we are going to love our neighbor. No! it is a Spontaneous overflow of the state of our heart. By being connected to the vine we are patient, kind, enduring all things, hoping all things, joyful, peaceful, full of self control, and Humble.

Love is not a Daily Decision, it is a spontaneous overflow of a thankful heart.