What is love? It is something that everyone wants. It is something that eludes many people. Love makes a person feel fulfilled and happy; lack of love makes one feel sad and empty. People are looking for love in many places. They want to have love… they think that love will solve all their problems.
Young people feel that if only they could find someone to love them, and then get married, they would live happily ever after. However, the current divorce rate in many Western countries shows that marriage is not the complete answer to finding love.
But what really is love? How can one find it? Many people think of love according to this dictionary definition, “a profoundly tender, passionate affection for another person.” And then they will be disappointed when they can’t find someone who will have this passionate affection for them.
The one part of love that the majority of people overlook is found in the saying, “To have love you must give it away.”
When we look at the life of Jesus, He came to demonstrate to mankind, the meaning of the word “Love.” If you study His life and character you will find that the majority of the time He was busy giving love away. How often do you read of people giving love to Jesus? There are a few times. In the home of Mary, Martha, and Lazarus, He was treated as an honoured guest. But these times were few and far between. Do we see Jesus lament this fact? Is it recorded that, at the end of His life, He was miserably recounting all the evil deeds that were done to Him; all the lack of love; all the times when He was mistreated, misunderstood? Even the leaders of the church turned their backs on Him. In His most trying hour, His best friends deserted Him. What was the response of Jesus? “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.” Luke 23:34. Those who show true love do not think of themselves. They do not recount the slights that have been done to them. Love speaks no evil of others. Love is not largely a feeling or emotion that is centered in self and the desires of self. True love centers its concerns in the interests of others and acts accordingly. (This is the key phrase – read it again and apply it to your life)
You can read in 1 Corinthians 13 an entire chapter on “love”. You may have faith to remove mountains, but what are you without love? Nothing. You can perform miracles, you can preach the greatest sermon, yet without love you will be like those that Jesus spoke about on the Sermon on the Mount. “Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.” Matthew 7:22, 23
It’s not important what you do, but the motive you have for doing something.
Let’s take a closer look at a part of 1 Corinthians 13
The Apostle Paul had just finished defining the place of the gifts of the Spirit in the church in Chapter 12, and now he proceeds to show that the possession of all of these gifts and other additional qualities does not make one a Christian if he does not possess the supreme gift of love.
Verse 1 – 3 “Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. 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, and have not charity, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed [the poor], and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.”
The first three verses give us an introduction to the concept of “love”. Regarding the gifts of the Spirit that were mentioned in Chapter 12, Paul informs us that, without love they are useless. The word “love” here used is from the Greek word “agape” . It is a higher type of love that recognizes something of value in the person or object that is loved; love based on principle, not on emotion. It is a love that grows out of respect for the admirable qualities in the person loved. This is the love between the Father and Son. It is the love that God has for fallen man. It is the love that Christians have for one another. Proof of this kind of love is shown by conformity to God’s will. This is the love talked about in this entire chapter.
A person may have great wisdom and a theoretical understanding of the relationship that would exist between man and God, and yet have no experiential knowledge of love. They will still be lost. A person may give his life as a martyr and still be lost.
You may do many good things in your life, but with the wrong motive. There are people who obviously do good things for personal gain, fame and recognition. Large donations are given so that a person’s name can be immortalized on a building or monument. Many so-called evangelists do good deeds and preach wonderful sermons in order to receive greater donations. They live in mansions and drive expensive cars. Good deeds done for public relations purposes are frowned upon by God. “But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth:” Matthew 6:3
People who have an incorrect understanding of love get married because they want a spouse to meet, and fulfill, their own needs. They have it backwards. They expect their spouse to give them love, and arguments arise in marriage when these needs are not met. Little thought is given about how they can meet their spouse’s needs.
Some health care employees are in the business because it incurs a nice salary and have little sympathy for patients’ feelings and emotions. They are there to heal the body only, when the health of the soul and spirit are also needed. Many deeds of kindness are a result of selfish motives. In the end, these are the ones Jesus will tell, “Depart from me.” How can you tell? The difference between the sincere and selfish is often difficult to detect. Only Jesus can read the heart. “Two women shall be grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left.” Matthew 24:41. They both look the same. They are doing the same work. One has the correct motive, and the other an incorrect motive. Nothing can take the place of love. It is the only service that God accepts.
In verses four to seven Paul analyzes love in a little more detail.
Verse 4-7: Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.”
Here we see love personified. Seven excellent characteristics are pointed out regarding love; and eight acts and attitudes are pointed out that are totally foreign to love. It is a sad fact that we see Christian fighting against Christian in the world. It has even entered God’s church with brother against brother at times. The devil never rests. This cannot be so. These verses are directly related to how we should conduct ourselves with our fellow man and especially our sisters and brothers in the faith.
“suffereth long” This is a precious attribute in this day and age when impatience and intolerance exists. Everyone is in a hurry to go somewhere or to get something and often get very impatient and intolerant with those who stand in the way.
Love bears long with the faults, failings, and weaknesses of others. Love recognizes that all human beings are fallible and takes that into consideration in their dealings with their fellow believers. Love is not hasty, has no passionate expressions, and is not irritable. “Cultivate the habit of speaking well of others. Dwell upon the good qualities of those with whom you associate, and see as little as possible of their errors and failings. When tempted to complain of what someone has said or done, praise something in that person’s life or character. Cultivate thankfulness. Praise God for His wonderful love in giving Christ to die for us. It never pays to think of our grievances. God calls upon us to think of His mercy and His matchless love, that we may be inspired with praise.” {MH 492.1}
Here, also, is expressed the state of man when wrongfully accused, persecuted and oppressed. This is difficult to learn but is of utmost importance. It is easy to be calm when wrongfully accused by unbelievers, but try to be patient and longsuffering when a brother accuses you wrongfully. We can learn from Jesus “who did not sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously: “ 1 Peter 2:22, 23. Jesus was reviled by the church leaders, brothers in the faith, family members and friends. Yet He had nothing but love for them and let God do the judging. “Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.” Romans 12:20,21.
“is kind” True love will be considerate and kind. This attribute is seen in one who is always seeking to show love and sympathy for the struggles and difficulties of others, one who is self-forgetful and helps others who are more needy. During all circumstances of life, whether in pain, sorrow, misunderstood, provoked, the person remains calm and shows love in return. “A soft answer turns away wrath.” Proverbs 15:1. True love will be kind and courteous and always seek to promote the happiness of others, not their own selves.
“envieth not” To envy is to have unpleasant feelings towards another person on account of advantages they may possess. These kinds of feelings give rise to contention, strife and division. This is not true Christianity. “These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: … he that soweth discord among brethren.” Proverbs 6:16, 19. Only love can drive out jealousy and bring harmony.
“vaunteth not itself” Love does not sound its own praises and exalt self. “Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.” Phil. 2:3. A person who possesses true love will not seek to exalt self, but will esteem others better than themselves and seek to exalt Jesus. All that we have, and are, comes from Jesus.
“is not puffed up” This is similar to vaunting oneself. It denounces any desire to inflate with vanity; no conceit and self-exaltation is to be found in love. Self-importance is lost in Christ.
“behave unseemly” To behave unseemly is to be uncivil, rude or unmannerly. Love will treat everyone with respect and politeness, and be ever mindful of their feelings no matter how they have been treated. It will always seek to build the best relationships with fellow-believers, unbelievers and even open enemies. There will be no division, no ill-feelings, no feelings of exaltation, in fact, no negative feelings towards anyone. If you have any ill-feelings towards anyone, you have lost your love. Love will avoid anything that will disturb the happiness of others.
“seeketh not her own” Self-seeking. This is the most difficult for the unconverted heart to accept. Man is naturally interested, first and foremost, in themselves and often this interest over-shadows others. Love will not seek to take advantage of a fellow Christian.
I have seen it happen when a brother runs a business for their livelihood, for example, a car repair shop, and then their fellow Christians expect their cars to be repaired for free because they are fellow Christians. This is sinful, taking advantage of a brother. This is the brother’s livelihood and we should pay him for his labours. It is sin to expect free service. We should be more willing to help out, and pay, a brother who is a tradesman, than a worldly tradesman. If the brother chooses to give free service or service for a reduced rate, that is his prerogative, but it should not be expected. We should be helping one another not seeking for our own gain only.
Or then a brother or sister borrows something from a fellow-Christian, whether an object or a sum of money, and feels under no obligation to return, in a timely fashion, that which has been borrowed. They justify their actions in their mind, thinking that the lender is a Christian so they will understand. This is a terrible sin and God frowns upon it. We should be more diligent in paying back our brothers and sisters than we would a bank. “Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.” Loving and owing are opposite in this verse. They are mutually exclusive terms. Romans 13:8. “The Christian is to pay all he owes,” 6BC 628.
“Be determined never to incur another debt. Deny yourself a thousand things rather than run in debt. This has been the curse of your life, getting into debt. Avoid it as you would the smallpox.
“Make a solemn covenant with God that by His blessing you will pay your debts and then owe no man anything [especially brothers and sisters in the faith] if you live on porridge and bread. . . Deny self at least while you are walled in with debts. . .
“Do not falter, be discouraged, or turn back. Deny your taste, deny the indulgence of appetite, save your pence and pay your debts. Work them off as fast as possible. When you can stand forth a free man again, owing no man anything, you will have achieved a great victory.” CS 257. (Emphasis added)
No one is a true Christian who makes the principle object of life to promote his own interests.
“is not easily provoked” Nothing can disturb the peace of a person who has true love in his heart. Love is not provoked; it will never display annoyance, impatience or anger. He simply turns everything over to God. All efforts of Satan to annoy him and make him angry is to no avail. “Never should we lose control of ourselves. Let us ever keep before us the perfect Pattern. It is a sin to speak impatiently and fretfully or to feel angry–even though we do not speak. We are to walk worthy, giving a right representation of Christ. The speaking of an angry word is like flint striking flint: it at once kindles wrathful feelings.” CG 95 Even to feel anger is sin.
“thinketh no evil” “For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh” Matthew 12:34. What you think, eventually becomes a part of you. It will come out in your words at some point in time. Satan may bring evil thoughts to you and, rather than harbor them, you need to get rid of them immediately. Give them to Christ and allow Him to fill your hearts with love in return. Thoughts lead to words, which lead to actions. A person filled with the love of God will think no evil of any other person. They will put the best construction on the behavior of others. Love will not be seeking to find fault in others or to impute wrong motives to others. If we start to think evil of others, we will begin to act evil and speak evil of them.
“rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth” The world rejoices in iniquity. Many Christians also rejoice in iniquity and see nothing wrong with some of the more “gentle” sins. Love finds no pleasure in unrighteousness. The unsanctified heart will also be glad when an enemy falls into sin, or when an opponent makes a mistake that will bring disgrace to himself. Love takes the opposite course. Love will find no happiness in sin of any kind or in the punishment meted out to sinners. Rather it finds pleasure in seeing the sinner liberated and brought into harmony with the truth.
“beareth all things” The Greek word here implies to protect and cover closely. Love conceals and is silent regarding the sins of others. It is not desirous to inspect the weaknesses of others or allowing them to be inspected by anyone else. “Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins.” James 5:20 “And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins.” 1 Peter 4:8. If we see a brother in error, we are to follow the example written by Paul, “Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness.” Galatians 6:1. And then we have the counsels in Matthew 18.
“believeth all things” Love is disposed to put the best construction possible on the conduct of others. Love seeks to make others happy and will not believe anything that is detrimental. It will not seek to try to judge another’s motives. Especially brother with brother, we need to believe and respect their words.
“hopeth all things” However dark appearances may be and whatever grounds there may be for questioning the sincerity of others, love still hopes that all will be well in the end. Love is based upon trust. Love is willing to face ridicule, strife and contempt in defence of others, hoping that in due time the truth will be vindicated.
“endureth all things” Love suffers quietly, all the slights, trials, persecutions and injuries from others. God often allows these things to occur to test our sincerity and our love. Can we love the person who has injured us? Or do we retaliate. It may appear that some people are out to hurt us, however, love will bear all insults patiently and show kindness in return. “We should not allow our feelings to be easily wounded. We are to live, not to guard our feelings or our reputation, but to save souls. As we become interested in the salvation of souls we cease to mind the little differences that so often arise in our association with one another. Whatever others may think of us or do to us, it need not disturb our oneness with Christ, the fellowship of the Spirit.” MH 485
From these verses in 1 Corinthians, it is clearly seen that love seeks to work in the best interest of others. It will look upon the unfavourable conduct of others with an understanding patience and sympathy that is inspired from God. Only in this manner will there be unity in the church. When this point is reached, the followers of God will be “of one accord” (Acts 2:1) as were the disciples in the Upper Room at Pentecost, and the Latter Rain will be poured out.
The Latter Rain will not be poured out on one person who does not have this kind of “agape” love for his family, friends, enemies and brethren in the church. If you have any negative feelings towards anyone, you will be excluded.
1 Corinthians 4:8 informs us of the strength of love. “Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.” Although the world will pass away and the other gifts of the Spirit cease and fail, yet love will not fail. It will endure forever. You may have many other gifts of the Spirit but be unable reach the unconverted hearts unless you have love. Love will pave a way where all sound doctrine and tongues have failed. Love is the foundation of the law of God. Jesus said, “If ye love me, keep my commandments.” John 14:15. Love is eternal. Love can be relied on at all times to solve all problems.
CONCLUSION:
To be a Christian is to be like Christ, who went about doing good. True Christians then are those who, in the spirit of Jesus, go about doing good to all who need help. They do it with no self-interest, but because the love of God is in their heart it is impossible for them to do anything else (6T 268). The true expression of love is the test that will determine the eternal destiny of all men. Self-denying love produces unity amongst believers and will convince the world of true Christianity. Love is demonstrated to be the greatest way of preaching the gospel and advancing the kingdom of God.
“Love is power. Intellectual and moral strength are involved in this principle, and cannot be separated from it. The power of wealth has a tendency to corrupt and destroy; the power of force is strong to do hurt; but the excellence and value of pure love consist in its efficiency to do good, and to do nothing else than good. Whatsoever is done out of pure love, be it ever so little or contemptible in the sight of men, is wholly fruitful; for God regards more with how much love one worketh than the amount he doeth. Love is of God. The unconverted heart cannot originate nor produce this plant of heavenly growth, which lives and flourishes only where Christ reigns.
“Love cannot live without action, and every act increases, strengthens, and extends it. Love will gain the victory when argument and authority are powerless. Love works not for profit nor reward; yet God has ordained that great gain shall be the certain result of every labor of love. It is diffusive in its nature and quiet in its operation, yet strong and mighty in its purpose to overcome great evils. It is melting and transforming in its influence, and will take hold of the lives of the sinful and affect their hearts when every other means has proved unsuccessful. Wherever the power of intellect, of authority, or of force is employed, and love is not manifestly present, the affections and will of those whom we seek to reach assume a defensive, repelling position, and their strength of resistance is increased. Jesus was the Prince of Peace. He came into the world to bring resistance and authority into subjection to Himself. Wisdom and strength He could command, but the means He employed with which to overcome evil were the wisdom and strength of love.” 2T 135.
May God help us to possess this true love so that we will not miss out but will be ready when the Latter Rain will be poured out on God’s people. AMEN.
W. Eaton