During the late 1960’s and early 1970’s, my pastor was guiding our church’s young people through those very confusing years. America’s youth were in a lot of turmoil and the attitude of dissention also flooded into many churches. But God gave our pastor a calming wisdom. He showed us in 1st and 2nd Corinthians that the church at Corinth (the most carnal and immature of all the early churches) was arguing over what was most spiritual. He pointed out that Christians of today were having the same problem. He then said, “. . . right in the middle of all the controversy, the Apostle Paul wrote I Corinthians 13, to say this is what is most spiritual: LOVE !”

During the late 1960’s and early 1970’s, my pastor was guiding our church’s young people through those very confusing years. America’s youth were in a lot of turmoil and the attitude of dissention also flooded into many churches. But God gave our pastor a calming wisdom. He showed us in 1st and 2nd Corinthians that the church at Corinth (the most carnal and immature of all the early churches) was arguing over what was most spiritual. He pointed out that Christians of today were having the same problem. He then said, “. . . right in the middle of all the controversy, the Apostle Paul wrote I Corinthians 13, to say this is what is most spiritual . . . LOVE !”

In studying it more closely, I noticed what the list of things are that are thought of as very spiritual . . . speaking in tongues of men and angels, prophecy (having God speak directly through you or preaching), complete understanding or wisdom, total knowledge about everything, faith that moves mountains (phenomenal answers to prayer), sacrificing everything you own to God by giving it all to the poor, and the ultimate sacrifice, being a martyr - even the horrific death of being burned alive. I noticed that the seven qualities listed there are yes, very Godly, but they are only for this life.

I Corinthians 13:8 goes on to say that all of these qualities are temporal, but that love’s 16 qualities will remain and are the greatest, even more than faith and hope. It’s because they describe God, Himself, who is eternal. If we comprehend that God’s qualities of love are what is most spiritual, verses 11 and 12 say that our immaturities will be put behind (we’ll grow up!) and we’ll be able to accept that our perceptions here on earth are unclear and will not be understood until we’re in Heaven. That sure would prevent alot of controversy and destructive arguing.

If you take the Word of God at face value at the ends of verses 1, 2, and 3, it’s pretty devastating to those of us who think these seven qualities are so spiritual in themselves, without love as their source. Tongues become as annoying as a loud gong or aggravating as a clanging cymbal . . . you want to just cover your ears, it hurts! Convincing preaching, keen wisdom, intellectual brilliance, and having a direct line to God (answered prayers), don’t make you or I great in God’s eyes or anyone else’s estimation. Giving all I possess, including my body . . . even in an excruciatingly painful death, has no value whatsoever to God or others. That is . . . without the 16 qualities of love as your motive for all these spiritual things. What a blunt chapter!!

Face it straight on. Without patience I am NOTHING. A big fat ZERO. Let it sink in what God really thinks of all the spiritual things you or I can do “for” Him . . . if we are impatient . . . or envious . . . or hold grudges . . . or get angry . . . or the other 12 things listed in verses 4 - 8. It’s not very much! It is an overwhelming realization how all - important these 16 inner heart qualities are to Almighty God compared to all the external things we could do that appear Godly that are of no importance at all . . . without love.

One of my projects has been to go down the list of 4 - 8 in my heart. If I am impatient (and that has been my biggest fault in life), I am nothing. If I am unkind, I am nothing. If I envy, I am nothing. If I brag, I am nothing. If I am proud (unwilling to admit wrong or overestimate myself), I am nothing. If I am rude, I am nothing. If I am selfishly motivated, I am nothing. If I am easily angered, I am nothing. If I can’t endure others’ faults and instead hold grudges, cutting them off, I am nothing. If I find sin and being able to deceptively get by with it delightful and wholesomeness and honesty make me gag, I am nothing. If I don’t always protect, I am nothing. If I have a distrustful spirit, I am nothing. If I do not have hope, I am nothing. If I do not persevere, I am nothing. If my love fails (giving up), I am nothing. This is stunning!!! This is seriously one of the most devastating truths in the whole Bible.

But, this is not to beat up on myself or anyone else. I do this in order to face the reality of this chapter head - on and let its truth change my mind and heart. The opposite of this list is also powerfully true. Everything that I could do that seems spiritual - if it’s source is in and is saturated in the qualities of love (God’s essence) - has full value in God’s Kingdom, will accomplish His work, and will last for eternity. But I would love to talk about that in the “Love Chapter Part III”.

Currents Thoughts:

Sharing my heart about the violin album songs.

Former Thoughts:

Violin Tragedy
The Love Chapter Part I
The Love Chapter Part II
Songs from the violin album.
Morning Devotions
Developing talents and using them for God.

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