We build our houses on solid foundations so they do not fall, and think we have it all. How is our love? We build up our bank accounts so they do not fall, and think we have it all. How is our love? We secure our possessions with insurances and warranties so they do not fall, and think we have it all. How is our love? The truth is, no matter the solid foundation, no matter the number in your bank account, and no matter the insurances or warranties, our houses, our money, and our possessions will fall (see 2 Peter 3:10).
Furthermore, we go to church every Sunday so we do not fall, and think we have it all. How is our love? We put our money in the collection plate so we do not fall, and think we have it all. How is our love? We pray in the morning and at each meal so that we do not fall, and think we have it all. How is our love? Each of these is needful and beneficial, just as the abilities to prophesy and speak in other languages not studied were to the church at Corinth (see 1 Corinthians 12–14). As important as those things were, Paul wrote to them, “If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am become sounding brass, or a clanging cymbal. And if I have the gift of prophecy, and know all mysteries and all knowledge; and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. And if I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and if I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profiteth me nothing” (1 Corinthians 13:1–3, ASV). Why? Because “Love never fails” (1 Corinthians 13:8). Or literally, “Love will not fall.” A.T. Robertson put it this way, “Love survives everything” (Word Pictures in the New Testament).
The realization of our love is known by the ways we think of others, the ways we view ourselves, the ways we treat others, the ways we respond in times of trial and frustration, the ways we respond to sin, and the ways we use our time. Lord willing, we will think about these in more detail in future weeks. For now, “Love never fails” (1 Corinthians 13:8). How is our love? Can we all agree that we could grow to love more? “But now abideth faith, hope, love, these three; and the greatest of these is love” (1 Corinthians 13:13).
- Clifton Angel preaches for the Coldwater Church of Christ in Coldwater, MS. He may be contacted through that congregation's website: http://www.coldwatercofc.com/
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