The Love of God

In 1 Corinthians 13:1 to 13, the Apostle Paul gives one of the clearest and most powerful teachings on love in all of Scripture. Yet this chapter is often misunderstood. It is not merely about human emotion or sentimental affection. It is about the supernatural love that flows from God Himself and is produced in the lives of those who belong to Christ.

Paul begins by showing the absolute necessity of love. He writes, “If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal” (ESV). In other words, even the most impressive spiritual gifts are empty without love. This fits perfectly within a Reformed understanding of salvation. True faith always produces fruit. Outward actions, even religious ones, mean nothing if the heart has not been transformed by the grace of God.

He goes further. “And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.” This is a sobering warning. It is possible to have great knowledge, strong convictions, and even a form of faith, yet still be spiritually dead. Love is not the cause of salvation, but it is the evidence of it. God regenerates the heart, and from that new heart flows love for Him and for others.

Paul then describes the character of true love. “Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude.” This is not a checklist for earning favor with God. Rather, it is a portrait of the work of the Holy Spirit in the believer. This love reflects the very nature of God. We see this perfectly in the Lord, who was patient with sinners, kind to the weak, and humble even to the point of death on a cross.

Notice also that love “does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth.” Biblical love is not tolerance of sin. It is rooted in holiness and truth. In a culture that often defines love as acceptance of everything, Scripture calls us back to a higher standard. True love desires the glory of God and the good of others, which includes confronting sin and pointing people to repentance and faith.

Paul reminds us that love is enduring. “Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.” This endurance reflects the preserving grace of God. Those whom God saves, He keeps. The love that He produces in His people does not ultimately fail because it is sustained by His sovereign power.

Finally, Paul contrasts temporary gifts with eternal realities. Prophecies, tongues, and knowledge will pass away, but love never ends. In this present age, we see only in part. One day, when Christ returns, faith will become sight and hope will be fulfilled. Yet love will remain forever. “So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love.”

Why is love the greatest? Because love reflects the eternal character of God. It is the bond of perfect unity, the fruit of the Spirit, and the evidence that we belong to Christ. As believers, we must examine our hearts. Are we seeking gifts, knowledge, or influence more than we are seeking to love God and others? Only the Gospel can produce this kind of love.

We always encourage everyone to check everything through the lens of the Scriptures. Be like the noble Bereans of Paul's day. Please visit us here for much more, and remember, Christ is enough.

Let us love because God loves us and...well God is love!  Until we meet again brothers and sisters, lets go serve our King!

FRF Family