Love is the Key! - Pt 2

The church of GOD at Corinth experienced a number of problems, being a very immature congregation. Which made it necessary for Paul to pen his 2nd longest letter to address them. The distinction of themes or topics that Paul addressed from ch 7 to 16 is marked by the word “Now” or phrase “Now concerning”. Ch 13 is in the middle of the topic which he began in ch 12:1, “Now concerning spiritual gifts”. Well since they were problem oriented and he was addressing those problems, what was the issue they had with spiritual gifts? Some were making certain gifts of the Spirit more important than others, which caused others to feel less important or envious, and ultimately it was creating division (the main concern from ch 1). So Paul had to show them the way of excellence regarding gifts of the Spirit, which were intended to edify believers and serve unbelievers! That excellent way or course in when they should do all things was and is “Love”. My intent with this message is to further expound on the significance and right demonstration of love for the character of Christians. With our family of believers and all of humanity.

Paul first shows the extreme significance of love by describing hypothetical scenarios without love. Without love, I am hallow inside and just making noise in life, I am of zero importance, and I have no spiritual profit. Then we arrive at verse 4-6, which is where we will anchor our learning on today. Here Paul personifies love and portrays what love should look like. He tells them where love stands (“is” statements) and how it behaves (“does” statements). Interestingly there are 8 negative statements, and 3 positive ones. In other words, Paul helps us understand love better by what’s not in the picture!!

Patience

The first stance that love takes is patience. Which means the full propensity to wait on someone and possess a slow boiling time with regard to another’s behavior.

Application: If we claim to have love, which we should have being in Christ, there must be some patience seen toward other people. Of course there are things that demand urgency. But everybody is not there. Our response to people shouldn’t be instaflame!

Kindness

The second stance is being kind. The idea is being gently serviceable to someone.

Application: This doesn’t rid out the need for seriousness. Rather we must be tender. It is horrible to bite into a overcooked steak, lamb chop, or chicken wing. But when it’s warm and tender, it can be enjoyed. Folk should enjoy our presence.

Not Jealous

Now here’s the first stance or attitude Paul says is not in the picture of love, and that’s jealousy or envy. It is boiling over inside because of the success or advantage another has.

Application: There’s nothing wrong with us admiring and being motivated by the success of someone. But it’s when we become hostile and hurtful because somebody else gets the recognition, microphone, opportunity, position, etc. Love says, that’s not its picture.

Doesn’t Brag

Here’s the first activity Love doesn’t engage in, and that’s bragging. It is the idea of throwing a parade for oneself to impress or show importance over others.

Application: There’s nothing wrong with having joy for what you know GOD gave and blessed us with. This is referring to putting it on display as if what we have and the importance we tie to it is better than others. When we have love, we don’t do that.

Not Arrogant

The reason why Love does not brag is because Love is not arrogant. Bragging is a manifestation of having a proud stance. Arrogance is having an inflated mind, which is overly self-important, -confident, -sufficient.

Application: We might just be important at our jobs, homes, here, and society. That’s not the problem. The problem is where our mind stands about our own importance. Especially when that carries into treating others like they are of none, or we are more important. In that case, we’re of zero importance because we lack love!!

Doesn’t Act Rude

Another activity Love doesn’t get involved in is being rude and disrespectful. That’s having no regard or respect for customs, public decency, etc.

Application: We should know behaviors which we should feel ashamed of. When we are doing them willy nilly, publicly, toward others, or for everybody to see, that’s what you call rude and disrespectful. There are some norms that conflict with the standard of faith, break those. Beyond that, if we love people, we should respect them!!

Doesn’t Seek for Self

Then comes an activity that is polar opposite to love for sure, and that’s striving after all that puts one in first place of advantage, influence, and honor.

Application: This doesn’t mean that we ignore things we need or might want to enjoy. The idea is that every strategy in my mind and behavior isn’t all for my me not considering others. We can even make suggestions and proposals, but we should not demand things be my way, so I alone can be happy and satisfied!

Not Provoked

Meaning easily irritated and angered.

Application: We shouldn’t walk around all day talking about what got under our skin. Every little or big thing (depending on ones views). Think of this picture with a child. They are immature and learning, and we would go crazy if this attitude was in our picture. The reason this isn’t in the picture is because of the quality of patience.

Doesn’t Sum Up Wrongs

This is an accountant term, describing the summation of debt to be paid by someone.

Application: Paul is responding to a report or record of the Corinthians behavior. The difference is that his intent is to restore them and not repay them. We will remember wrongs, but if we love, we’re not calculating for vengeance!!

Rejoices in Truth

Unrighteousness is essentially any wrongdoing. Truth is what’s right in accordance with the will of GOD.

Application: We need to pay closer attention to what makes us happy. Because Ro 1:18 says unrighteousness suppresses the truth. We need to be happy about what’s right, true, and good.

Conclusion: What’s in your picture?