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What We Believe and Why - Vol. II
Written by Dr. Lester Hutson

Copyright - Lester Hutson - 1982
This material is copyrighted and may not be copied or reproduced without the express written permission of Dr. Lester Hutson.

Chapter Forty Seven
Love in Action
Part IV
"Love Defined"

INTRODUCTION:

Nowhere in the scripture is there a short, concise definition of love. The dictionary describes it as a "feeling of warm personal attachment or deep affection," but as can be obviously seen, this is rather vague. The best definition of love can be seen by examining the scriptures and seeing what love does, how it acts, etc. Consequently, the previous lessons have to some degree done this, but here we wish to be more specific. We shall use the terms love and charity interchangeably.

I. LOVE IS ESSENTIAL. (I CORINTHIANS 13:1-3)

A. In I Corinthians 12 many spiritual gifts are being considered. These gifts were used in the early churches for edifying the Christians who, at that time, didn't have the Bible as we have it today. But Paul goes to great lengths here to show that, unless these gifts were exercised out of the motive of love, they were worthless.

B. The Christian's every action should be motivated by love.

1. "For the love of Christ constraineth us." (II Corinthians 5:14)

2. In whatever we do, the motive for doing it is the most important factor of consideration. (Galatians 5:6)

3. The Pharisees did some very good things, but since they did them for personal glory and not out of love, the good things were profitless to them.

C. We might do great things in the name of God, like tithe, spend long hours, help many weak souls, lead some to Christ, sacrifice ourselves, and as Paul concludes, even go the ultimate and give our lives for the cause, but if it was not done out of a heart of love, it would profit us nothing.

1. We would still stand before the judgment empty handed. That is the kind of efforts Paul is speaking of in I Corinthians 3:12-15. When our motive is one other than love, we are building on wood, hay and stubble. These shall perish at the judgment.

2. Notice we say that it profits us nothing. Though it may not profit us, it may well profit the one we help. For example, leading a lost man to Christ would help him, regardless of our motive.

D. Application: Since love is an essential element to the performing of our tasks, then most of us would do well to reevaluate our lives to make sure our motive is a proper one. Why are we coming to church? Why are we giving? Why do we pray? for personal gains? Out of habit? As Paul points out, we may be the most fluent, powerful, generous, etc., but all is in vain except there be love.

II. CHARACTERISTICS OF LOVE. (I Corinthians 13:4-7)

A. "Charity suffereth long...." Strong's Greek Dictionary of the New Testament also renders "bear long," "be long-suffering," "have long patience" as meanings of the word here translated "suffereth." This is well seen in Ephesians 4:2 where Paul exhorts the Ephesians to walk "with lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love." How many of us are eager and speedy to condemn a man when he gets down! It is easy to condemn and say, "Well, there is no excuse for this," "they know better," or the like. Read Galatians 6:1-2, where we are exhorted rather to restore such a one in meekness and love. We would do well to consider and pattern after the longsuffering of God toward us, when we start forming hasty and rash opinions and judgments against others. (II Peter 3:9)

B. "Is kind...." A trait we could use a lot more of in this day of harshness, bluntness and mad rushing about.

C. "Charity envieth not...." Jealousy is a synonym to envy. If one receives a little more glory than another, made a little better living, etc., they can hardly stand it. Love is happy for, rather than jealous of others.

D. "Charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up." Vaunt is another word for boast, and boasting is the result of pride. Many are so vain they say, "Look what I've done." We often say their head is swelled, "puffed up," with pride. Consider the Pharisee of Luke 18:9-14. See also Solomon's warning of Proverbs 16:18.

E. "Doth not behave itself unseemly...." No doubt here doubtful things are under consideration. Paul points out that all things are lawful to him, (I Corinthians 6:12), then he goes on to say in I Corinthians 8:12-13 that if what he did might offend a weak brother, then he wouldn't do it at all. James rates very highly the man who offends not at all. (James 3:2)

F. "Seeketh not her own...." We live in a world when most people are looking out only for themselves, but love edifies. (Ephesians 4:16) Love serves others according to Galatians 5:13. See the example of Hebrews 13:1. Love is concern not only for self but others as well.

G. "Is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil...." The tendency of man is to think the worst, to look for the bad points and weaknesses of others, and let go unnoticed the good traits. Some people brag that they will "take nothing off nobody." That is not love.

H. "Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth...." The world counts it pleasure to riot in sin. (II Peter 2:13; II Thessalonians 2:12; Romans 1:32) But this text points out that with real love we will take pleasure in or rejoice in truth. It is almost frightening when we look around us and see so many who are so unconcerned about the truth and get so mad and out of sorts when it is taught and preached.

I. "Beareth all things...." It is amazing how many faults are covered up by love. (I Peter 4:8; Proverbs 10:17) See also Proverbs 17:9. Real love enables us to have real friendship. With it you are able to see a person's bad points as well as his good ones and go on caring for him anyway.

J. "Believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things." Here the knitting together characteristics of love are seen. Where there is true love there can be unity. See Colossians 2:2 for more proof. Love casts out fear, which makes for uncertainty. (I John 4:17-18)

III. LOVE MAY, WITH HUMANS, VARY IN INTENSITY.

A. God always loves with a maximum of love.

B. But human love can go up and down as a thermometer. Consider Peter to whom we have referred before. (John 21:15-17)

1. Matthew 24:12 shows this truth. It says the love of many shall "wax cold." Shows a decrease.

2. Philippians 1:9 asks that love "abound." Be a maximum.

3. The saints are here exhorted to have the "same love" for each other. (Philippians 2:2) Apparently, Paul had perceived among them different degrees of love to prompt this exhortation.

C. A great many of us today, like those of old, are far from maximum love, and we don't even have the same love for each other. Such should not be the case. II Corinthians 6:6 and I Peter 1:22 say love should be "unfeigned," that is without dissimulation or hypocrisy. (Romans 12:9)

D. When we say we love more than we actually do, this is hypocrisy. See the example in Ezekiel 33:31. Many of us say we really love God but do very little to prove it. Though we speak of great love, we don't visit, tithe, pray, use our talents, or even attend faithfully His house. Such should not be.

IV. OF ALL HUMAN TRAITS, LOVE IS THE GREATEST. (verse 13)

A. It's importance is scripturally repeated.

1. "Let all your things be done with charity." (I Corinthians 16:14)

2. "Above all things, put on charity." (Colossians 3:14)

3. Solomon well shows its importance in Proverbs 15:17, "Better is a dinner of herbs where love is, than a stalled ox and hatred therewith."

B. "Charity never faileth...." (I Corinthians 13:8) The word faileth means cease or stop. The point being made is that, though some things such as prophecies, tongues, healings, etc., would cease to be done, love would continue. Love is essential and most important in any age. When you consider what it does, though, that isn't too hard to understand. It is truly the force of all forces. It goes and reaches where nothing else reaches. No wonder Paul said, "Follow after love," (I Timothy 6:11), and "provoke unto love." (Hebrews 10:24) Remember a little love can work wonders.

"It Does Make a Difference What You Believe"