July 23
1ST CORINTHIANS 13 / PART 2
-1st Corinthians 13:1-3 states, … Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and
have not charity ( love ), 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
( love ), 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 ( love ), it profits me nothing …
-The word “charity” ( “love” ) comes from the Greek word “agape”, which
means: spontaneous, unconditional love that always seeks what is best for the recipient, not expecting anything in return,
and having not been given on the basis of merit. "Agape", being the highest and most mature form of love,
speaks of the love that comes from God. In essence, it tells us of the very nature and character of God, FOR GOD IS
LOVE ( "AGAPE" )! This love is possessed only by God and those whom He has revealed it to. It is to be distinguished from
the other forms of love, which are: “storge”, “philia”, and “eros”. "Agape"
is all giving, not getting. The other forms of love are as follows:
1. storge - affection between members of a family.
2. philia - friendship.
3. eros - sexual and romantic love between people “in love”.
-It is important and necessary to bring out that "agape" ( God’s love ) is not something
that we can work up, for "agape" is in total contrast with our Adamic Nature. "Agape" must
first be revealed to us from our Heavenly Father, then being realized, received, experienced, and distributed to others. Our
nature is void of this type of love. This love is only to be found in partaking of God’s divine nature ( 2nd
Peter 1:4 ).
-With this in mind, we can now see what is being said in verses 1-3 of 1st Corinthians. If we do
any or all of the things mentioned in these verses, not being motivated by "agape", then we are:
1. A noisy gong or a clanging cymbal …
2. A useless nobody …
3. Gaining nothing …
-This tells us that the most important thing that we are to derive from the Bible is … GOD IS LOVE!
If we do not see this as the heart and message of the Bible, then we have missed the very essence and meaning of the Holy
Scriptures! Without "agape", there is nothing in our treasure chest but wood, hay, and stubble. Let us lay
down our lives that we might become partakers of this life-changing power, for GOD IS …
-"AGAPE"!-
