The importance of Christian love is no where emphasized more than in the, so-called, love chapter. The 13th chapter of I Corinthians puts it all in perspective.
There the Precious Holy Spirit tells us that without love nothing else matters. He tells us that even if we can speak fluently and eloquently on Divine things, but do not have love we are like metal. Even though metal makes a noise when it is struck, it is, nevertheless lifeless.
He tells us also that even though we may prophesy, and understand all mysteries and knowledge, and even have faith that brings miracles to pass, if we lack love, we are spiritually dead; a non-entity; we simply do not exist; we are nothing.
The Holy Spirit here says, further, that even if we are benevolent and kind hearted to the extent we give all our possessions to feed the poor and even give our bodies to a martyrs death, if we lack love there is no profit in any of it for us.
How important is that? Does that not put it in perspective?
But that seems mild compared to what Jesus said about it. Look: By this shall all men know ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another. John 13:35. Jesus made it our official badge of Christian discipleship. It is, therefore, the one essential and true test of the sincerity, genuineness, and realness of our profession of faith.
We cannot love Christ if we cannot love His brethren, because they are all bound together in the same bundle of life. I Samuel 25:29.
Our love for the brethren is a sure and positive evidence of our love for Christ, Himself.
When the Holy Spirit has drawn us into a Spiritual rebirth, and filled our hearts with love, He will also draw the love out into a positive exercise of love for one another.
May God give us grace to understand what this passage is saying, to us, and may we love one another for Christs sake. Without love, we are nothing.
There the Precious Holy Spirit tells us that without love nothing else matters. He tells us that even if we can speak fluently and eloquently on Divine things, but do not have love we are like metal. Even though metal makes a noise when it is struck, it is, nevertheless lifeless.
He tells us also that even though we may prophesy, and understand all mysteries and knowledge, and even have faith that brings miracles to pass, if we lack love, we are spiritually dead; a non-entity; we simply do not exist; we are nothing.
The Holy Spirit here says, further, that even if we are benevolent and kind hearted to the extent we give all our possessions to feed the poor and even give our bodies to a martyrs death, if we lack love there is no profit in any of it for us.
How important is that? Does that not put it in perspective?
But that seems mild compared to what Jesus said about it. Look: By this shall all men know ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another. John 13:35. Jesus made it our official badge of Christian discipleship. It is, therefore, the one essential and true test of the sincerity, genuineness, and realness of our profession of faith.
We cannot love Christ if we cannot love His brethren, because they are all bound together in the same bundle of life. I Samuel 25:29.
Our love for the brethren is a sure and positive evidence of our love for Christ, Himself.
When the Holy Spirit has drawn us into a Spiritual rebirth, and filled our hearts with love, He will also draw the love out into a positive exercise of love for one another.
May God give us grace to understand what this passage is saying, to us, and may we love one another for Christs sake. Without love, we are nothing.
