LOVE

Many people are familiar with the "Love Chapter" in the Bible. 1st Corinthians 13. Often read at weddings (our's included), it's considered one of the premier passages on love in the Bible.

But, the context of 1st Corinthians is that Paul is writing to the church in Corinth to address reports of concerns about certain behavior, specific sins, among the congregation of the church.

So, what does the "Love Chapter" have to do with with addressing sins within the body of believers? Good question!

Throughout the book of 1st Corinthians, Paul addresses these different concerns chapter by chapter. When he gets to chapter 12, he talks about different spiritual gifts God gives to believers, and how they are all to be used to work together to unify and build up the church - the body of believers.

When he gets to the very end of chapter 12, after he has defined all these gifts believers can use to build up the body of believers, he makes an interesting statement. He says “And yet I will show you the MOST excellent way” (emphasis mine). Then, Paul moves directly into chapter 13 - the love chapter.

Paul's "most excellent way" has everything to do with love!

Christ's love kept Him on that cross where He defeated sin once and for all.

Love keeps the mission of promoting the cause of Christ font and center. So that our own offenses, feelings, desires, and our own comfort finds their proper place well below the cause of Christ.

When our focus remains on Christ, our purpose is focused on exalting the kingdom of God instead of satisfying our own desires or promoting our own agenda. Love overcomes all.

This is the most excellent way. This is the Way of Love.