"And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing."
1 Corinthians 13:2
Part 3
Yesterday:
“And though I have all faith so that I could remove mountains” (b)
My faith must be balanced with my love so that I can be useful to God and man.
Today:
“And have not charity, I am nothing.”
Here it is; excellent Bible knowledge and great miraculous faith mean nothing if I am not loving! In this 13th chapter of 1 Corinthians, Paul is expressing the importance of “love,” that is the kind of love that is described by the New Testament word “agape.” Of the four types of love defined by the Greeks, this love is the one that is greater than the gifts, and even “faith.”
“It is a love that loves without changing. It is a self-giving love that gives without demanding or expecting re-payment. It is love so great that it can be given to the unlovable or unappealing. It is love that loves even when it is rejected” [1] (Guzik).
“According to Alan Redpath, we get our English word agony from agape. ‘It means the actual absorption of our being in one great passion.’” [2]
Agape. “But it can be defined as a sacrificial, giving, absorbing, love. The word has little to do with emotion; it has much to do with self-denial for the sake of another” [3] (Guzik).
All of the gifts are going to run their course and end (1 Corinthians 13:8). But in eternity, love (agape) will still exist and be useful to all.
“And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity” (1 Corinthians 13:13).
In our eternal state with the Lord, faith will no longer be necessary for we will be with Him and “we shall see Him as He is” (1 John 3:2). Hope will no longer be needed for we are with Him. But it is love that lasts through eternity,
“…we will always love the Lord and each other, and grow in that love through eternity” [4] (Guzik).
True believer, you have “faith,” but how is your love life? Keep growing in love.
[1] Guzik, David, David Guzik’s Enduring Word Commentary, the electronic version in eSword.
[2] Guzik, ibid.
[3] Ibid.
[4] Ibid.