In I Corinthians 12:31, the Holy Spirit instructed Paul to call love the more excellent way. In chapter 13, he reveals that no matter what you do, how skilled you are in ministry, how much faith you have, how much money you give, and what sacrifices you make, if you do not have love, then all the rest is worthless. This underscores the transformative power of love, inspiring us to embrace it in all our actions.
The most profound description of the Christian’s character is love. It is worth knowing that God is love. If you do not love, you do not honestly know God. I John 4:8. This verse reassures us that God’s love is all-encompassing, providing us with a sense of security and comfort. If we know God loves us, then we are permanent residents in love (dwell).
Love is the most significant missing element in our churches. The world knows believers by their love. Recognition as faithful followers of Jesus comes as they see how we love. This highlights the urgency of love in our churches, motivating us to prioritize it in our actions. We may have the correct doctrine, but have yet to be known for our love.
The love Paul teaches here is unselfish and interested in giving rather than getting. It is about sacrifice, not control. It puts others first and has no place for pride and arrogance.
There is no substitution for love, not works, not doctrine, nothing.
We experience God pouring His love through us and into our hearts. This means that as believers, we are vessels of God’s love, and we are responsible for sharing this love with others. Romans 5:5. Genuine believers do not need to be taught to love because it naturally comes with our new nature. It is who we are. I Thessalonians 4:9.
God’s people love as their very lives depend on it. It is a fervent, genuine love. The word fervent used here means persevering. When someone does not waver in their display of interest or devotion, it implies something. It is eager and earnest. It is constant gentleness. I Peter 4:8
The verse says this love covers a multitude of sins. It is like the quote by Corrie Ten Boom that says there is no pit so deep that He is not deeper still. Our love should be so intense that there is more love and grace than sin and failure. This means that our love should be so strong and all-encompassing that it can overcome any sin or failure, just as God’s love is greater than any pit of despair.
Love is the more excellent way. Without love, you have nothing, are doing nothing, can accomplish nothing.