Lunch Bite December 15, 2020

The Way of Love

“If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.” (1 Corinthians 13:1, ESV)

The Way of love is to speak truth in love, to be concerned first about our own life and that we are in the right relationship with God through Jesus and then to care enough for others to speak the truth to them about their life and relationship with Jesus.  If we have all the wisdom of men or even heavenly wisdom from above but try to apply those words in our own life or in others without love, then we are nothing but noise pollution in the world.

Genuine followers of Jesus are in such short supply because so many have been deceived into speaking words of God without love.  This is perceived by others as being judgmental.  What is truly interesting is that we speak the same judgmental words to ourselves.  I am a failure, life will never get better, there is no hope, I am too bad for God to want to redeem.  It seems that to feel better about ourselves we need to tear others down.  Church folk, not believers, are really good at this because they are frustrated from years in church and still feeling the weight of sin in their life.  They have never truly been converted by faith.

The words that must be spoken does not change.  Wisdom from God is the truth that we need.  But again, it is like medicine we have the medicine, but we need the prescribed method for applying the medicine.  The way of love is the method of application of words and truth.  Biblical love is understood best in this situation as being committed to another’s welfare above our own.  First, we must be quick to hear and slow to speak.  Next, we must remain humble and contrite not looking to be argumentative with God’s word but look for ways that they or you need to have the word applied to life.  Then, show them the love of Christ on the cross.  Look at each person, even your enemies, and say to yourself I would like to spend eternity with them when sin and brokenness is no more.  If you think this does not apply, then anything you speak is nothing more than disturbing the peace a.k.a a noisy gong and a clanging cymbal. 

“Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.” (Romans 12:10, ESV)