Memory Verse: He who loves his brother abides in the light, and there is no cause for stumbling in him. 1 John 2:10.
Scripture Reading: 1 Corinthians 13:1-13; Colossians 3:12-17
Introduction:
Love is the most used and abused word in the English language. We love to play baseball, we love to go to the movies, we love ice cream or cake, a man blithely tells a woman he loves her. In truth, words mean something far different than what we mean, and the human game of hearts can be cruel sport indeed. A lot of modern-day “hit” songs talk of “falling in love” but solid enduring love does not happen that easily. True love requires time to ripen; it demands a lot more giving than getting. We must learn to see beyond the faults and shortcomings of the person who is to be the recipient of our love.
There are at least half-a-dozen words in the New Testament dealing with love and three of these words do not portray love in a very favorable light. The word “philoguria” denotes avarice and greed; it is used in 1 Timothy 6:10a, “For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil….”
The Greek word “philautos” refers to selfish love such as is discussed in 2 Timothy 3:2a, “For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud….”
And a third one, “porneia,” which is the worst for it deals with fornication, adultery, and incest as found in 1 Corinthians 6:13.
The motion picture and TV industries deal almost exclusively with these negative aspects of love, wrongfully glorifying them and portraying them as good. Today’s young people try to emulate their heroes and heroines on the silver screen, and they are being led astray by these misleading portrayals.
The entire thirteenth chapter of 1 Corinthians is perhaps the best example throughout the Bible of just what it is that truly constitutes love at its best, and we find three more words with quite a different set of meanings.
The words “agapeo and agape” depict love in a social or moral sense. Agapeo is the love we should manifest even toward our enemies but agape is the pure Christian love we would express one toward another. Agape especially means “affection or benevolence,” this is the purest form of love and the one that best expresses the love God has for us. With agape, or charity love, we find a love that “love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up” (1 Corinthians 13:4).
Phileo is the love true friends have for one another and even non-Christian men and women can enjoy this sort of a relationship.
So, we see that while faith enables us to come to God, it is love which enables us to imitate Him.
Study Questions:
- Why is agape, or charity, the greatest love? 1 Corinthians 13:4-8.
- If we show love, do we also show faith? James 2:14-18, 26. Note: The reality is that if you have faith, works will naturally be a product. You cannot sever the effect from the cause. Christians will be judged by the law of liberty, which is the law of love.
- How far should Christian love extend? John 15:9-13. Note: As Christians obey Christ’s Words and abide in His love they come to experience and understand His love for them even more.
- What is to be said for charity toward our Christian brothers and sisters? 1 Peter 4:8-10; Colossians 3:12-14.
- What about brotherly love, or phileo? Are we admonished to extend hospitality to strangers? Hebrews 13:1-2.
- Should the world be able to recognize Christians? How? John 13:34-35. Note: Unbelievers recognized Jesus’ disciples by their deeds of love for one another.
- On what two Commandments hang the law and the prophets? Matthew 22:35-40.
- Why did Jesus tell the scribe that he was not far from the kingdom of God? Mark 12:28-34.
- How strong is true love? Song of Solomon 8:6-7. Note: The point here is that true love cannot be destroyed and neither can it be purchased.
- What is the response brought forth by love? Is there also one for hate? Proverbs 10:11-13, 17-18. Note: When people respond in love to each other they cover over the sins or offenses that would otherwise come between them.