Love, What Is It? Pt 2

The focus on Love yesterday (Love, What Is It?) and we focused on the basic definitions from a secular and spiritual standpoint.  Today, I want to back up slightly so we can go a little deeper.

I Corinthians 13 is very often referred to as the chapter of love. Apostle Paul, the author of this book talks about what it is and what it is not.

Background:  Corinth was a seaport located in Greece and was both the political and the commercial capital of Achaia (“uh-ky-yah”).  This was a major city with a population of about 600,000 people; it was well trafficked; lots of merchants; trading; sales and travel, which meant it was also very diverse (prosperity, ethnicities, religions and immorality). Corinth was a city overtaken with corruption, idolatry and well known for its temple prostitutes of Aphrodite. There was even a Greek word, korinthiazomai (Corinthianize), which meant "to practice fornication."  Sexual immorality was very high up on the list of pagan practices.

During Apostle Paul’s first visit to Corinth he was responsible for leading “many” to become Believers (Acts 18).  He and his team discipled those Believers for about 16 months until he left to evangelize in Ephesus.  One commentator talked about how “raw” the Corinthians were prior to their conversion, but once they accepted Christ they changed completely and put off their old lifestyles.  Obviously there was a special bond and Paul loved them dearly based upon the relationship they built during his stay there, even referring to himself as the “father of the Corinthians” (1 Corinthians 4:15).  I believe Paul’s teaching was effective while he was present because there weren’t any major challenges.  To be clear these were all new Believers with absolutely no previous experience with Christianity, there were no other churches they could use as a model, no bibles, no other ministers or evangelists, etc.  They were essentially left on their (even though Paul was a good role model and left instructions for them). 

Little by little the “old man” started to come alive and now the church was troubled with division, lawsuits between believers, sexual sins, disorderly worship, and overall spiritual immaturity.  Religiousity was in full force which ushers in self-righteousness, piety and unjustly judging others.  To be transparent, it was a hot mess in Corinth and there was major drama in the church.  Sound familiar?

1 Corinthians 13:1-3 (NLT): 

Vs 1:  If I could speak all the languages of earth and of angels, but didn’t love others, I would only be a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.  In other words, what difference does it make how well you speak?  If you don’t love others your eloquent speech is useless because no one will want to listen to you.  The primary reason is because your raggedy selfish life is so loud it sounds like a bunch of noise, turning off the people when they hear you.

Vs. 2:  If I had the gift of prophecy, and if I understood all of God’s secret plans and possessed all knowledge, and if I had such faith that I could move mountains, but didn’t love others, I would be nothing.  That’s like having wisdom with no knowledge, something will always be missing.  In other words, you’re smart, perhaps you even have a degree or a special gift, but you don’t know how to use it.  What’s the point?

Vs. 3:  If I gave everything I have to the poor and even sacrificed my body, I could boast about it; but if I didn’t love others, I would have gained nothing.   If we’re not doing the “work” from the right place – our heart – it’s almost like operating as a robot, void of feeling, compassion, empathy, concern and most of all love.  What a horrible and unfulfilling way to live.

Paul heard about all of the chaos from one of the members of the church that lived at Chloe’s household.  Chloe could have easily judged the church folk, talked about them, and/or disassociated herself from them, etc. but she loved the people of God enough to report their ungodly behavior to their Father in the Gospel, Paul, with an expectation that he would be able to help them get back on track. Because Paul loved them, he took the responsibility of “getting them together” like only he could.  He knew them, where they had come from (spiritually), their original stories, their commitment and zeal. 

Victory Nugget:  If you know there is “drama” brewing in your church, stay clear of it, pray for the individuals involved and discretely inform your leaders, stand your ground and be prepared for any backlash. 

In closing, Paul wrote this uncompromising letter to confront and correct these Christians in love, answer their questions, and instruct them in several areas. He warned them not to be conformed to the world around them, but rather, to live as godly examples, reflecting Christ likeness in the midst of an immoral society.  He wrote in authority, but from a position of love, not dictatorship.  He wasn’t trying to control them, he loved them and wanted the best for them.  We cannot compromise love or the truth, even when it is unpopular.

I’m out of time, we’ll pick it back up tomorrow.

In His Love

Tan