Love a different thought?

[Rev. Dr. William Kaberle,Ph.D.]

1 Corinthians Chapter 13

This chapter is a continuation of the subject commenced in chapter 12.In that chapter Paul had introduced the subject of the various spiritual gifts which the Holy Spirit confers on Christians, and had shown that these gifts were conferred in such a manner as best to promote the edification and welfare of the church. In the close of that chapter 12 of 1 Corinthians he says that there was one gift that was more valuable than all others, and that might be obtained by all, and that was love. To illustrate its nature, excellence, and power, is the design of this exquisitely beautiful and tender chapter. In doing this, Paul dwells particularly on three points or views of the Excellency of love.

What kind of love are we talking about here? Are you talking about philo love like I have for all my friends? Or is it eros love like I have for you my husband? Oh I know it must be the kind of love Jesus and God has for me right? That agape love correct?

Correct. the Excellency of love above the power of speaking the languages of men and of angels; above the power of understanding all mysteries; above all faith, even of the highest kind; and above the virtue of giving all one's goods to feed the poor, or one's body to be burned. All gifts would be valueless without love.

What about when I have to wait for you on Sunday morning to pick out that just correct tie after you look and look, and then wear the first one you picked out anyway. Then you look at yourself in the mirror for minutes upon end and then I see that take no prisoners look in your face? What’s love got to do with it?

Above all, keep fervent in your love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins.

What about you my dear that can remember every thing I ever said or did wrong ever since we first met and reminds me of that fact quite often? What’s love got to do with that?

Hey sweetie what about when I say good morning when we get up in the morning and all I hear is “Yea what’s good about it?” What’s love got to do with that?
Being kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you? 

Hey, remember when all those times I want to tell you something and all I hear is not know I am at work or I’m working on a school paper. And I get that famous speech just a few more months and I can have my degree and get a job. But when I look in the door you are just looking at a blank screen on the computer, no fingers moving across the keyboard at all. Now what’s love got to do with it?

Love many things, for therein lies the true strength, and whosoever loves much performs much, and can accomplish much, and what is done in love is done well.

What about all these bible prophets we see and hear on TV or radio, all they seem to do is talk about doom and gloom and please send us money for we can give you more doom and gloom news. What’s love got to do with that?

The thought manifests as the word. The word manifests as the deed. The deed develops into habit. And the habit hardens into character. So watch the thought and its ways with care. And let it spring from love, born out of concern for all beings.
And my dear what does love have to do with when you act like a baby and helpless just to get your way at times?

Perfect love is rare indeed - for to be a lover will require that you continually have the subtlety of the very wise, the flexibility of the child, the sensitivity of the artist, the understanding of the philosopher, the acceptance of the saint, the tolerance of the scholar and the fortitude of the certain.

How does God’s love help me understand His word? For in the end, we will conserve only what we love. We will love only what we understand. We will understand only what we are taught.
What does love have to do with it anyway?

The most wonderful of all things in life, I believe, is the discovery of another human being with whom one's relationship has a glowing depth, beauty, and joy as the years increase. This inner progressiveness of love between two human beings is a most marvelous thing, it cannot be found by looking for it or by passionately wishing for it. It is a sort of Divine appointment
In Conclusion:

Chapter 13
1 If I make use of the tongues of men and of angels, and have not love, I am like sounding brass, or a loud-tongued bell. 2 And if I have a prophet's power, and have knowledge of all secret things; and if I have all faith, by which mountains may be moved from their place, but have not love, I am nothing. 3 And if I give all my goods to the poor, and if I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it is of no profit to me. 4 Love is never tired of waiting; love is kind; love has no envy; love has no high opinion of itself, love has no pride; 5 Love's ways are ever fair, it takes no thought for itself; it is not quickly made angry, it takes no account of evil; 6 It takes no pleasure in wrongdoing, but has joy in what is true; 7 Love has the power of undergoing all things, having faith in all things, hoping all things. 8 Though the prophet's word may come to an end, tongues come to nothing, and knowledge has no more value, love has no end. 9 For our knowledge is only in part, and the prophet's word gives only a part of what is true: 10 but when that which is complete is come, then that which is in part will be no longer necessary. 11 When I was a child, I made use of a child's language; I had a child's feelings and a child's thoughts: now that I am a man, I have put away the things of a child. 12 For now we see things in a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now my knowledge is in part; then it will be complete, even as God's knowledge of me. 13 But now we still have faith, hope, love, these three; and the greatest of these is love. 1 Cor 13:1-13 (BBE)

Chapter 13
1 If I make use of the tongues of men and of angels, and have not love, I am like sounding brass, or a loud-tongued bell. 2 And if I have a prophet's power, and have knowledge of all secret things; and if I have all faith, by which mountains may be moved from their place, but have not love, I am nothing. 3 And if I give all my goods to the poor, and if I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it is of no profit to me. 4 Love is never tired of waiting; love is kind; love has no envy; love has no high opinion of itself, love has no pride; 5 Love's ways are ever fair, it takes no thought for itself; it is not quickly made angry, it takes no account of evil; 6 It takes no pleasure in wrongdoing, but has joy in what is true; 7 Love has the power of undergoing all things, having faith in all things, hoping all things. 8 Though the prophet's word may come to an end, tongues come to nothing, and knowledge has no more value, love has no end. 9 For our knowledge is only in part, and the prophet's word gives only a part of what is true: 10 but when that which is complete is come, then that which is in part will be no longer necessary. 11 When I was a child, I made use of a child's language; I had a child's feelings and a child's thoughts: now that I am a man, I have put away the things of a child. 12 For now we see things in a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now my knowledge is in part; then it will be complete, even as God's knowledge of me. 13 But now we still have faith, hope, love, these three; and the greatest of these is love. (KJV)

I do wonder how different this world could be if only......

 

In Jesus Name, 

Dr. William Kaberle