The Bible teaches us everything we need to know about God. It teaches us everything we need to know in order to please God. It also teaches us everything we need to know in order to live happy lives.
In 1 Corinthians 13, the Bible tells us much about that common subject “LOVE.” One very striking statement about love is “LOVE NEVER FAILS.” What is it that love never fails to do?
LOVE NEVER FAILS TO HOLD A FAMILY TOGETHER
When a man and woman promise to love each other for better or worse, that is exactly what love does –help them stay together no matter what challenges come their way. The two love each other no matter what the other failures and faults may be. Love helps them to endure the heartaches, problems and disappointments in life. Love is the basis of forgiveness. Love is the basis of commitment.
LOVE NEVER FAILS TO BRING A CHRISTIAN TO WORSHIP AND BIBLE STUDY
When we truly love Jesus, we will be faithful to come to Bible study and worship. The Psalmist said, “O how I love thy law.” (Psalms 119:97). When we love God and love his law, there is no problem about coming to Bible study and worship. Yes, we will come to worship God when we really love him.
LOVE NEVER FAILS TO LOVE A BROTHER
“Let brotherly love continue.” (Hebrews 13:1). We can love a brother when we understand that Jesus loves him and gave his life for him. I MUST love my brother if I love God (1 John 4:21). Yes, God’s love helps me love my brother.
LOVE NEVER FAILS TO KEEP ME HUMBLE.
Loving Christ helps me to keep myself under control and to keep me humble in the sight of God and also my fellow man.
It is no wonder that Paul ends 1 Corinthians 13 with these words, “And now abides faith, hope and love, but the greatest of these is love.
Yes, Love never fails.
Robert Martin Forest Park Newsletter 9 14 1988
LOVE CAN DISAGREE
Brethren sometimes disagree with each other in matters of judgment, and that is not necessarily bad. Imagine a world where everyone saw everything alike. The difference in Christianity and the world is that Christians know how to disagree without being disagreeable.
It is a warped view of human nature and how Christianity applies to it for one to assume that all who disagree on a matter hate each other. No doubt there have been miffed feelings and misunderstanding all along, but to accuse brothers of “hating one another” simply because they disagree must be a later twentieth century phenomenon.
Otherwise, these remarks would have been made in the first century.
“Have you heard the latest from Antioch? Paul really got Peter told! And he did it before the whole church, too! The way those two hate each other will never convert any Jews! (Galatians 2)
“Did you hear about Paul and Barnabas? They nearly had a fight! I was told it was a “sharp contention.” They sure must hate one another.”(Acts 15)
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“I’d hate to be a member of that church over at Corinth. Why, they are even kicking one of their members out of the church. I don’t think it is right for brethren to hate one another so!” (I Corinthians 1-5)
“Man, they really got Peter told, didn’t they? The Jew really let him have it for preaching to the gentiles. They hate him.” (Acts 10-11)
Seriously, do you think these brothers were accused of hating each other simply because there were some matters of disagreement which arose?
W.T Hamilton
via Saks church of Christ Anniston AL