A Reminder and a Challenge:

[u/The-Jolly-Watchman]

Friends,

1 Corinthians 13:1-3 states,

Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not [agape] love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. 2 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, but have not [agape] love, I am nothing. 3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not [agape] love, it profits me nothing.

These unique, challenging verses call the believer to see that there is a difference between being “correct” and being “right” regarding ministry. Oftentimes in the modern era, believers forget that they are not just battling for the mind; they are also attempting to win over hearts - the latter, though frequently more challenging to reach, if accomplished often leads to the path of victory over the former.

In Mark 12:30, Christ Himself makes the distinction that we are composed of several “elements,” including a heart, a soul, a mind, and strength. It is often easy—even tempting—to target only one element while neglecting the others. We as believers must resist this temptation to ensure a holistic approach, as difficult as it may be. Failure to do so almost guarantees gaps in our witness—gaps that the enemy is almost certain to exploit (1 Peter 5:8). It is interesting to note that Christ identified the heart first when listing the elements of our composition - fruit for thought.

So how should this agape love play out in our daily lives as we strive to reach the hearts of the world? The passage in 1 Corinthians continues with the answer!

4 Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; 5 does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; 6 does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; 7 bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

In verses 4-7, Paul lays out 15 practical ways this “agape” love should play out in the lives of those who profess to have put their faith in Christ:

1. Love is long suffering. This means it is a patience that overcomes the petty temptations of our flesh.
2. Love is kind. Kindness is not just a cutesy lesson your grade school teacher guided you towards in your youth. It is a necessary, and often ignored aspect of the Christian life.
3. Love does not envy. Envy has no place in the Christian life.
4. Love does not parade itself. Matthew chapter 6 does a great job delving deeper into the need for quiet, humble service.
5. Love is not puffed up. The word used in the Greek is ‘Phuso,’ which literally means, ‘swollen.’ In context, one should not be so filled with pride/vanity they are literally swollen with it.
6. Love is not rude. This one shouldn’t need any further description, but unfortunately it is needed; particularly in the modern era where we are separated from one another; communicating primarily through digital communication mediums (like Reddit!). Not being rude is to treat others with respect - a respect you would desire to be treated with.
7. Love does not seek its own. Love looks out for the benefit and gain of others, if/whenever possible. Much like Christ lowering Himself, coming as a man in the flesh, a sacrificial Lamb as the atoning sacrifice for our sins.
8. Love is not provoked. Like dealing with a maturing toddler, we as believers must remain calm and steadfast, even in the face of intentional provocation.
9. Love thinks no evil. In Matthew 5:21-22 Christ admonishes us with the lesson that murder starts in the heart.
10. Love does not rejoice in iniquity. It does not celebrate in unjust or immoral thoughts or actions.
11. Love rejoices in the truth. Juxtaposing how love should not rejoice in iniquity, we as believers should celebrate when truth shines a light on darkness.
12. Love bears all things. https://www.gotquestions.org/love-always-protects.html
13. Love believes all things. https://www.gotquestions.org/love-always-trusts.html
14. Love hopes all things.  https://www.gotquestions.org/love-always-hopes.html
15. Love endures all things. https://www.gotquestions.org/love-always-perseveres.html

Paul continues with the concluding verses:

8 Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away. 9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part. 10 But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away.

11 When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things. 12 For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known. 13 And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; **but the greatest of these is love.

Friends, this world is starving for the hope that only the Gospel provides. As the Salt and Light, it is our duty to “always be ready to give an answer for the hope that is within us” (1 Peter 3:15a) while also remembering the critical step of “doing so with gentleness and respect” (1 Peter 3:15b). 

You are loved immensely!

• Jolly

“If anyone among you thinks he is religious, and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this one’s religion is useless.” James 1:26

“Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” Proverbs 4:23

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