Stick with Love

Introduction

Paul’s letter to the Corinthians that we have been studying the past couple of week is packed full. We have talked about spiritual gifts and how they are used to benefit the body of Christ and how important each of us are important and valued members in the body of Christ.

Today we dive into something that I believe is at the heart of Christianity yet is easily glossed over or missed over time. Today is about love. You have heard it said “For God so loved the world” in John 3:16 one of the most quoted verses. You have heard it preached over and over and taught in so many ways that God loves us. The most important commandment when Jesus was asked was to Love God and Love neighbor. We get the first part of that and acknowledge the second part.

Yet Paul has something to say today when we stray away from this most important part of being a follower of Christ, a disciple of Christ.

Problem

In the previous chapter Paul shares how important these gifts are in building up and serving the body of Christ. Yet here in chapter 13 he confronts the problem of not having love in what is being done. More specifically, the gifts and services he just talked about he then proceeds to talk about how pointless it is if they perform miracles, have faith to move mountains, speak in tongues, speak prophecy, etc.

If the church is missing love its work is fruitless. Think of growing up in a family where there is no love. Think about what that means and the things that would take on a different meaning when there is no love. Think about special memories you have and which ones are based on moments where love is expressed or the motivator behind the words spoken or activity. It changes it all to be frank.

When taking a family vacation for instance, is not done because of loving the family and taking a trip together to have fun together then it becomes simply tasks to be completed or distances to be traveled only for the sake of some task. Taking this further, are there things you did or others did that they knew would matter a lot or carry special meaning? Now remove those because love is what motivates us to do or make sure those parts of the trip happen. Without love, there is no motivation except to only do what the individual wants. Can you imagine going on a trip and everyone only does what they want and ignores everyone else’s wants? That sounds like a miserable trip. Yet when we love each other and we do things for each other out of love, it takes on a completely different meaning and significance.

What about a church operating without love? How difficult is that to even imagine? Yet I believe this can easily happen to any church. If a church is not motivated by love then what is the driver behind our words and actions? Sometimes this is selfishness or fear or desire to control. While I am not interested in trying to point out or find mistakes the church has made, I think at some point in time each of us falls into this category of acting outside of love.

Solution

Paul here encourages us to let love be the motivator behind each act and service we perform. Each time we use our gifts and talents, let it be motivated by love. Let our words and actions be guided by love because without love, they are fruitless and pointless in serving God. God’s love covers us though and his grace can break a hardened heart. If fear or desire to control causes you to act or speak in a certain way, then give it over to God and ask for love to be inside your heart.

If comfort or desire to remain in a state of comfort in your surroundings and the people you interact with causes you to speak or act in unloving ways to prevent the disruption then ask God to soften your heart and let love fill you.

When we replace our selfish desires, fears, or desires to control our surroundings with a letting go and giving over to God, then love can replace these things that motivate us in the wrong way. Jesus motivated by love of humanity became flesh so he could go to the cross and atone for all of humanity. God the Father also loves us unconditionally as finding a way that we would be redeemed even before we were born. The Holy Spirit fills us with gifts and abilities to serve that God’s love may fill us and flow through us into the Body of Christ so that we may serve in love.

As Paul shares, certain things will pass and fade away and all the things we expect to be most important are not in the end. Love is the most important action and motivation. This will last beyond your mortal life in this world. God’s love taking up residence in your heart is what shapes and molds you into a disciple of Christ rather than a disciple of this world. Let love soften you and allow you to be moved by God into a loving member of the body of Christ.