In his introduction to Henry Drummond’s The Greatest Thing in the World, D. L. Moody recalled gathering with friends in an English country house in 1884.
On Sunday evening, the group asked him to explain a passage of Scripture. Tired from the day’s services, Moody suggested they ask Drummond instead.
Drummond took a small New Testament from his pocket, opened to 1 Corinthians 13, and spoke about love. Moody was so impressed that he later brought Drummond to Northfield to deliver the address and asked school principals to have it read before their students every year.
Moody expressed this desire:
“Would that we could all move into that Love chapter, and live there.”
Today’s 17th blog post on 1 Corinthians 13 concludes our study of Paul’s great chapter regarding the command, character, and conquest of love.
We have observed love’s exhortation, defined its qualities, considered its demands, and applied its principles. But have we moved into this chapter? Are we living there?
In the final verses, Paul concludes this treatise by showing us why love is the crowning virtue. Consider these three final points:
#1 Love Is Permanent (v. 8)
“Love never fails.”
J. B. Phillips renders it, “It is, in fact, the one thing that still stands when all else has fallen.”
When possessions are lost, when this life’s accomplishments have faded, and the applause of recognition has subsided, love remains.
Love even transcends death as we hold in memory those who have gone on to their reward.
Love is essential in our relationship with God, with our family, friends, and brethren.
Solomon was right when he wrote in the Song, “Many waters cannot quench love, neither can floods drown it” (Song of Solomon 8:7).
Indeed, the love of 1 Corinthians 13 is unconquerable.
#2 Love Is Complete (vv. 9–12)
Paul contrasts enduring love with the temporary miraculous gifts. These gifts supplied knowledge in part until God’s revelation was complete. Unlike those gifts, love would never become unnecessary.
The apostle further likens their imperfect knowledge to looking in a mirror that doesn’t provide a clear reflection. There was much they didn’t know or understand yet.
In fact, even with Scripture as a finished product, some subjects remain puzzling to our 21st-century world. But one thing is clear: God loves us. And He desires that we love one another as He loves us.
Love fills our hearts and strengthens us to keep moving toward our eternal destination, even when we don’t understand everything.
Indeed, love is a mark of Christian maturity, moving us beyond childish attitudes and actions toward spiritual maturity in Christ.
Thus, as we reflect on the 15 qualities of love, it may be wise to ask: Is my love mature or immature?
- Am I patient or impatient with my brethren?
- Am I kind or harsh to my spouse?
- Am I envious of others’ success, or do I rejoice with them?
- Do I have good manners, or am I rude and crude?
- Am I easily provoked to anger, or am I calm and deliberate?
- Am I keeping score of others’ wrongs, or am I forgiving?
#3 Love Is Supreme (v. 13)
“And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.”
Neither Paul nor ThePreachersWord denigrates faith or hope. Both are indispensable. However, Paul, inspired by the Holy Spirit, expressly gives love the highest place.
Defending our faith is good, but it is not everything. Proclaiming our hope is admirable. But there is more. Without love, faith is cold. And hope without love is joyless and dreary.
Love strengthens our faith and gives warmth and joy to our hope.
In Drummond’s book, he stated that “To love abundantly is to live abundantly.”
So what makes an abundant life? Possessions? Accomplishments? Recognition? Credentials?
No.
What matters most is what lasts into eternity.
This post concludes our series. But living the love chapter must become the continuing practice of our lives. Pursue what lasts. Grow toward maturity. Give love the highest place.
Let’s move into this chapter—and live there.
–Ken Weliever, The Preacherman
