Introduction
The Corinthians were having problems in their meetings. Paul speaks to
these problems, but sees beyond them and speaks to the root problems.
Misunderstanding of true nature of church: individualistic vs. corporate
spirituality (LAST WEEK). But there is an even more important issue
(read 12:31)—love. Why is it a "more excellent way?"
Love is the only valid standard of success (vs 1-3)
Read vs 1-3. It's pretty difficult to miss the point, isn't it? Love
is God's standard of success for our lives (see also 1 Tim. 1:5;
Mt. 22:36-40; 1 Pet. 4:8; Jas. 2:8; 1 Jn. 2:7-11).
If your spirituality fails to manifest itself in a lifestyle of other-centered,
sacrificial love, it is pseudo-spirituality.
Spiritual gifts have their proper place, but the key to their
effectiveness is that they are exercised with a heart of love to serve
people. Otherwise, they are not only ineffective—they are ugly
(TONGUE-SPEAKER GETTING OFF ON SELF; IVORY-TOWER THEOLOGIAN WHO DOESN'T
CARE ABOUT PEOPLE).
Faith is certainly important—but it guarantees nothing
about my spirituality (POSITIVE CONFESSIONALISM: NEW AGE SPIRITUALITY;
IDEALISTIC, VISIONARY REFORMERS WHO RUN OVER PEOPLE TO ACCOMPLISH THEIR
GOALS).
Aren't philanthropy and self-denial synonymous with love?
Not necessarily. Love will involve both, but both can be practiced without
love. Some people give their money primarily to increase their fame
and status rather than to help people (MT. 6; "BAND-AID"??).
Some people make great personal sacrifices—even die for their convictions—but
not out of love for others (MONASTIC MOVEMENT; MUSLIM TERRORISTS).
What about morality? Some people are very moral in a certain
sense of the word. They have never cheated on their taxes, they never
cuss, they never over-eat or over-drink. But some of the most profoundly
unloving people I have ever met are this way! The self-righteousness
and cold-hearted condescension which radiates from such modern-day Pharisees
is nauseating—and antithetical to true spirituality.
If the Bible flunks all this spiritual activity unless it is motivated
by and expressed in love, what about secular standards of success?
What if you have climbed to the top of the corporate world, amassed the
greatest fortune, gained the most social prestige—but haven't become
effective in loving others?? According to Jesus, you can gain the world
and still lose your soul (Mk. 8:36)!! When the dust settles and God evaluates
people by this standard (vs 8ff.), most of the world's heroes will be
shown to be pathetic failures, and many of the world's rejects will be
shown to be worthy of true fame.
The uniqueness & complexity of biblical love
If so much rides on being effective in love, we'd better know what it
looks like. But I will warn you in advance: You'd better be ready to be
stretched in ways you never expected if you want to pursue this way of
life. You'd better be ready to drop your simple definitions, because biblical
love will not fit into them. You'd better be ready to let go of your sentimental
platitudes, because biblical love will cut right through them. You'd better
be ready to throw away all simple formulas for how to express love to
people, because biblical love requires extraordinary discernment and wisdom.
You'd better be ready to have your confidence that you are a basically
loving person shattered, because biblical love is ruthlessly hard on such
self-estimations. Biblical love is like a MOUNTAIN rising up into the
clouds. We can only get to the FOOT-HILLS in this teaching . . .
Because Paul probably zeroed in on specific aspects biblical love in
which the Corinthians were most deficient, we need to start with a definition
distilled from the whole Bible. "Biblical love is a commitment
to give of oneself in every area for the good of
the loved one—through the resources supplied by Christ."
A closer look at this definition reveals differences from modern views
of love at almost every turn.
"Commitment"—Modern love is often rooted in one's
feelings (EROS- "I'm in love" means "You make
me feel excited."). But biblical love is rooted in our volition;
we choose to love, often in spite of our feelings. Modern love is
a response to the worthiness of its object ("I love you because
you are beautiful, intelligent, interested in me, etc.)—and is
therefore inherently conditional. But biblical love arises
from the character of the lover—and is therefore unconditional
(1 Jn. 4:10).
"Give"—Biblical love is essentially self-sacrificing
(Jn. 3:16; 1 Jn. 3:16); it "lives to give." Modern love
is usually self-serving—it's ultimate agenda and motive
is hope of reward or reciprocation. But biblical love deeply enjoys
reciprocation, but it is able to derive satisfaction from the act
of giving itself. Modern love is often passive and omissive—"I
prove I love you by not being offensive or abusive or demanding."
But biblical love is active—it takes the initiative to
do something calculated to help you become what God has designed you
to be.
"In every area"—Modern love is selective—it
picks and chooses how it will love. I may refuse to express appreciation
or affection, but be content that I love you because I provide for
your material needs. I may offer you warmth and empathy, but refuse
to confront you when you need it. Modern love says "I will love
you in the ways that come easily/naturally to me." But biblical
love is comprehensive—it is willing to serve in all legitimate
ways, even when this includes learning serving in ways that are awkward
for me.
"For the good of the loved one"—Biblical love operates
on the basis of absolute truth—God's revealed definition
of what is good for human beings. It therefore has the integrity and
fiber to be uncompromising about truth and morality—even if this
causes waves (EVANGELISM). It also has a category for discipline.
It is not naive about human nature. It knows that people often foolishly
and sinfully define "wants" as "needs." It is
therefore willing to confront and devise even severe consequences—but
always for the goal of repentance and growth, not for revenge. By
contrast, relativistic modern love often degenerates into soft, over-indulgent
sentimentality—and accuses biblical love of being unloving!
"Through the resources supplied by Christ"—This kind
of love is only possible when we have a personal love-trust relationship
with God through Jesus Christ. Only God's love through the cross can
motivate us to love others like this. Only God's wisdom can teach
us how to express love appropriately in complex situations. Only God's
power can sustain us to live sacrificially. Only God's forgiveness
can explain why we should forgive our enemies. (GOSPEL)
Vs 4-8 provide us with additional insights into biblical love, probably
selected because of the Corinthians' deficiencies. But there's more
than enough here to challenge me . . . which convict you?
"Patient"—People change slowly, relationships take
work over time (contra INSTANT GRATIFICATION; TV SHOW 30 MIN.
RESOLUTION). This is also the ability to practice forbearance—to
prioritize issues and let smaller ones slide in order to make progress
with bigger ones.
"Kind"/"Does not act unbecomingly"—When
someone is kind, you'll more likely feel safe opening up to them.
They may not agree with you, but they won't be needlessly offensive
or harsh, and they won't use their IQ or personality to mock you or
humiliate you. This is the sensitivity to know and care how our words
and actions will affect others, and to use that knowledge to draw
out instead of to intimidate.
"Not jealous"—There is a legitimate jealousy which
is indispensable to true love. God is jealous of other gods because
we were made for him. Spouses should be jealous of other lovers. But
this is unhealthy possessiveness—the never-satisfied desire
to have more and more of the person for oneself (TIME; ATTENTION),
which views other legitimate interests (OTHER PEOPLE; MINISTRY INVOLVEMENT)
as rivals to be eliminated.
"Does not brag and is not arrogant"—Love is self-effacing,
not self-promoting. It may be delighted to be noticed, but it is content
to do good without recognition and praise. It takes a genuine interest
in the other person, and is glad when they succeed.
"Does not seek its own"—Because I am secure in God's
love, I can give to others without expectation of return from them.
Because I know God will bless me as I follow him, I don't have to
demand or manipulate. Love is shrewdly calculating—but not to
get for itself, but to move people closer to God.
"Is not provoked"—This doesn't rule out anger (see
Mk. 3:5; Jn. 2:14-17). Sometimes anger is appropriate and necessary
to get someone to wake up. Righteous anger is slow (Jas. 1:19) and
calculated to help. But this is paroxuno—the uncontrolled
reaction (DOG SNAPPING WHEN TAIL STEPPED ON). If you have a hot temper,
get alone, cool off, then come back and discuss. Otherwise, you can
destroy in one moment what has taken months to build.
"Does not take into account a wrong suffered"—Unlike
the above (whose anger passes quickly), this is the brooding resentment
and bitterness which keeps a careful ledger (logizomai) of
offenses, like an accountant calculating the bill owed. This is what
leads to malice and hate. How dare we receive God's forgiveness, and
then refuse to forgive others? Repent!
"Does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the
truth"—Love has no humanistic denial of human evil. It holds
people responsible for their actions and doesn't let them off the
hook with excuses. It exposes evil with the truth and presses for
repentance. But it derives no thrill from "busting" and
"nailing" people (POWER-TRIPPERS); its thrill comes when
people turn to God and change.
"Bears all things"—Paul uses this in 9:12 to describe
waiving personal rights for the sake of advancing Christ's cause.
Love is not rights-oriented; it is willing to give up even legitimate
prerogatives in order to guard Christ's reputation and see others
benefit.
"Believes all things, hopes all things"—This doesn't
mean love is naive about human nature (Jn. 2:24). Rather, love believes
that change is possible with God's help, and it focuses on a person's
potential and has a vision for what they could be like if they walk
with God (Jn. 1:42).
"Endures all things"—Love is not dependent on the
other person's response. They may never change, or love me back—but
if I learn to honestly seek their good and treat them with redemptive
strength, I can be free from their power over me >> VICTORIOUS
LOVE.
Love is the only pathway to true joy & fulfillment
Advancing in love is painful—but it leads to true joy. It is profoundly
discouraging—yet it leads to increasing fulfillment. If you pursue
this goal, you will often be keenly aware of your deficiencies, failures,
and how far you have to go (ME). You will also often be confused and agonize
over how to express love appropriately. But if you are committed to this
way of life, your walk with Christ will be intensely alive. You will have
an ever-deepening appreciation for God's mercy on you. You will be less
afraid of what others think about you and more confident in God's ability
to teach and empower you to love others effectively.
This is the great paradox of the Bible. It is by losing our lives in
loving service that we gain our lives. If you seek fulfillment by trying
to get others to love you the way you want to be loved, you will be
miserable. If you seek happiness by constructing a world full of comfort
and convenience, it will elude you. But if you forsake this and instead
seek to love others the way God loves you, joy and fulfillment will
find you in increasing measure.
Conclusion
What about you? What are you going to do about this issue? Where are
you going to be next year on this issue—safely back asleep dreaming
the AMERICAN DREAM, or making real progress with the dual experience described
above?? Pursue love (14:1).
This should be the #1 goal of our church . . .