EXPOSITION OF I CORINTHIANS 13 – PART 4
February 21, 2010
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I Corinthians 13:3 – 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.
History bears record of men and women who gave their entire lives in
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the promotion of the physical happiness and welfare of the entire human race. Many atheists and agnostics were among them,
and I would certainly not make little of their desire to further the creature comforts and longevity of mankind. They have labored tirelessly in the cesspool areas of the world to preserve the lives of countless numbers of children born in these zones of despair, and I do indeed applaud their efforts.
I would say only this, the eternal destiny of the souls of all those whose lives they extended, by their unselfish acts of self sacrifice, is far more important than time they added to them in this present life.
The love of God
is manifested more in his concern for the eternal destiny and welfare of a man or woman’s soul, than in the trials they suffer here.
If we carry this verse to its ultimate conclusion, it is simply this: A martyr, whose motive is not based on the love of God, will experience no gain in eternity for it. It does not matter on whom the martyr performs his act of love motivated by his love for God, it only matters in eternity that the leadership of God’s Spirit was the generator of his actions. Believers are the workmanship of the Spirit to produce good works of love based on the motivation of God’s love implanted in them. Their walk of love is spotted with periods of suffering for the spiritual benefit of others.
Ephesians 2:10 – For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
CHARITY SUFFERETH LONG,
Works, whose motivations are based on the implanted love of God in us, will cont
inue in spite of rejection and the sorrow of seeing few apparent results from them. A longsuffer ing love is motivated by the Spirit if it has as its goal to keep the local church
in the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. It will put up with the seemingly undesirable natures of some for the benefit of the body.
Ephesians 4:1-3 – I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation where-with ye are called, [2] With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; [3] Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
II Peter 3:9 – The Lord is not slack concerning his promise as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
AND IS KIND;
It shows goodness toward those who mistreat it.
It gives itself to the spiritual service and benefit of others.
Luke 6:27,28 – But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you, [28] Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you.
James 3:17 – But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.
CHARIETY ENVIETH NOT;
Love does not envy, it is not jealous.
It has no jealous feelings toward those who are doing the same work, only better. Love is not displeased at the success of others. Jealousy of other church members has allowed the devil to destroy churches and individual friendships.
James 3:15,16 – This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish. [16] For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.
CHARITY VAUNTETH NOT ITSELF,
Love does not push itself forward to be loved or to be the center of attention. It does not lift itself up for all to see as the object of praise. It does not try to make itself the object of other’s love, but rather makes the love of others its object.
We were the object of God’s love long before he ever became the object of ours.
Ephesians 2:4-6 – But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, [5] Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) [6] And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:
I John 4:10 – Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.
IS NOT PUFFED UP,
The root of the word translated “puffed up” is the action a bull frog performs when he is trying to attract a mate. He sucks in as much air as he can hold to make him appear much bigger than he is, so I suppose this could be applied to a windbag church member who wore his feelings on his shirt sleeve, and got very indignant when he wasn’t recognized for his position.
The opposite of this is humility, which manifests the love of God.
Philippians 2:5,8,9 – Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: [8] And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. [9] Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: