Is Love Enough? (Hint: The Right Love Is)
Baby, it’s cold out there – in more ways than one. Most of the nation is in the throes of deep winter—snow, sleet, icy roads and killer pile ups. And that’s just the weather. On other headline fronts: Five Killed in Capitol Attack; Four Shot at Minnesota Medical Clinic by Angry Patient; Six Coronavirus Vaccine Scams Sweep Country Targeting People’ Personal Information. Now, that’s cold. Where is the love?
It’s out there. Like the love of Restaurateur Robert Magiet, who in 9-degree cold, drives the streets of Chicago buying the daily inventory of tamales from street vendors to get them out of the weather. Magiet, then donates the tamales to homeless shelters. "At first they are in disbelief.”[1]
1 Corinthians 13:8 8 Love never fails; but if there are gifts of prophecy, they will be done away; if there are tongues, they will cease; if there is knowledge, it will be done away. They shouldn’t. This kind of love should be the norm, not a surprise. As we celebrate Cupid’s love this Valentine’s Day, lets to strive for Magiet’s love—agape love—the 1 Corinthians 13 love. Not all loves are the same. The Greek language names four: agape, storge, philia, and eros. Let’s see why we need agape, when it is cold outside.
Agape is primary—first—among other love options when it’s cold outside (13:1-3). Paul told the gifted Corinthian community that agape is primary because it is based on an inward compassion and personal sacrifice rather than an outward show and self-satisfaction. The Corinthians were hung up on comparing their gifts: my speaking in tongues is better than your teaching. But Paul says that tongues without love is noise. Prophesy without love is empty. Giving without love is bankruptcy. Agape love is motivated by service, not sensation. It asks: What I’m I willing to give up? The Chicago restaurateur was willing to go into his pocket to get the street vendors off the freezing streets. Ask yourself: What does my love cost me when it’s cold outside?
Second, Agape is practical —doable—in everything important part of life (13:4-7). Paul told the gifted Corinthians that they did not always practice what was practical. But agape is “do-able” in 8 ways: (1) Love is patient; (2) Love is kind; (3) Love does not envy; (4): Love does not boast; (5) Love is not rude; (6) Love is not selfish; (7) Love is not easily angered;(8): Love does not keep score. Ask yourself: What love do I practice when it’s cold outside for someone else?
Finally, Agape is permanent, outlasting any fad, or failure or even faith (8-13). The gifted Corinthians were majoring in gifts that had a short shelf life. Love never fails or fades. Prophecy will end. Knowledge will fade away. Someday, we will look face to face into the perfect reflection of love—Jesus Christ.
He made the sacrifice so this meeting in heaven could take place. He will ask you then, “I loved you. What did you do with your love when it was cold outside?
Love—agape love—matters because it is primary, practical and permanent. Candy, flowers and cards are fine for a day, be sacrificial love will be there in the end.
[1] https://www.cnn.com/2021/02/10/us/iyw-chicago-tamales-feed-homeless-trnd/index.html
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