The Most Excellent Way

The Corinthians were promoting specific gifts over others.

Paul wanted to show them that they were focused on the wrong things.

They were focused on the gifts and not the Giver.

The Gifts:

Tongues of Men (Eloquence)

Tongues of Angels (Spirit language)

Prophecy

Retaining and Citing Knowledge

Miraculous Faith for Wonders, Healing, and Deliverance

Paul goes farther...

They may have even boasted of their Works of Service: giving possessions and human efforts to serve the poor.

And farther...

Even if someone gives their body to be beaten to be beaten or to death, out of pride or spite, they gain nothing.

None of These Gifts or Works of Service are pure acts in and of themselves.

They cannot redeem us from pride and arrogance that corrupts all the good we might do.

This is the most used in Wedding Services, even non-Christian weddings.

This description of love is detailed, specific, and profound.

And this description makes absolute statements about what love is and does.

And, what is most clear, is that love is always about others.

There was a better way, A Most Excellent Way. The Way of Love.

Jesus made his mission to proclaim the Good News of God’s Love

that gives hope to the poor, freedom for prisoners, healing for the infirmed, sight for the blind, and to set the oppressed free.

Only Love can stop sin and corruption in ALL its forms!

This is not love in the general sense, like trite refrains of the undisciplined and undiscerning repeating “Peace, Love, and Hope”, “All You Need is Love”, or “All Love is Love”

This Love has its Foundation in God and God’s loving actions toward us.

It is because of God’s love that was first extended to us through God; coming as one of us, suffering torture and death, but to be risen again that we might live; that we might live anew.

Knowing this kind of love spurs us on to love others as God loves us.

But, just as it was not easy for Christ to love us, it is not easy to love this way.

It can be difficult:

It must not include envy, boasting, or pride;

It does not dishonor others;

It is not self-seeking (not a true relationship);

It is not easily angered;

It keeps no record of wrongs;

It does no evil;

It ONLY comes by patience when others harm us, including healthy boundaries when necessary;

It is ALWAYS Truthful, ALWAYS Protects (in healthy and truthful ways), ALWAYS Trusts, ALWAYS Hopes, ALWAYS Perseveres!

Hear within these the Beatitudes of Christ:

Blessed are the poor in spirit, those who mourn, the meek, those who hunger and thirst after righteousness, the merciful, the pure in heart, the peacemakers, those who are persecuted because of righteousness, you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of him.

LOVE NEVER FAILS!

Whatever else it is, IT IS NOT LOVE!

Who can say that they are perfect in all of this?

This Love must be grounded in God.

This Love has its Goal to be spread abroad to All Others.

Jesus called his disciples to obey the Greatest Commandment, to love God with all their heart, and thereby love others as themselves.

This Love brought All things and people into being.

This Love would see Everyone into Eternity.

Faith, Hope, and Love remain for now.

But, Only Love with remain for Eternity!