Christian Living

LOVE IS THE GREATEST

by Morris Inch
09/26/17
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LOVE IS THE GREATEST

Having listed the triad of faith, hope, and love, the apostle Paul adds: "But the greatest is love" (1 Cor. 13:13). Certainly do to its durability, and likely in other regards as well. In any case, we are alerted to its critical importance in the pursuit of a righteous resolve.

Preeminent among the texts concerning love (warm affection), "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life" (John 3:16). If troubled by the suffering that abounds, reflect on Calvary. If uncertain of God’s intent, focus on Calvary. Let God’s love as demonstrated in his sacrifice act as a precedent for our own.

Of the Greek words for love, agape the term employed in both of the above instances. It is generated from within, rather than solicited from without. Consequently, it implies love for the undeserving, despite disappointment and/or rejection. The remaining terms are phileo as associated with persons engaged in some common activity, storge as focused on filial affection, and eros as pertains to sexual attraction.

As with faith and hope, select commentary serves to expand the topic. "We are all born for love. It is the principle of existence and its only end" (Benjamin Disraeli, Sybil or the Two Nations—as recorded in William Sykes, The Eternal Vision, p. 270). Love of God, and love of one another. If life is as it should be.

"The great tragedy of life is not that men perish, but that they cease to love" (W. Somerset Maugham, The Summing Up). "There is a time to be born and a time to die" (Eccles. 33:1-2). So that both should be accepted in the course of life. While love makes the most of every step along the way, for oneself and others he or she encounters.

"The highest love of all finds its fulfilment not in what it keeps, but in what it gives" (Father Andrew SDC, Seven Words from the Cross). If one gives from his or her possessions, it is to be appreciated, but if of oneself then greater still. This recalls a time when one of my students hesitantly paused at the door to my office. "Can I interrupt you?" he inquired. "No!" I exclaimed. "You can’t interrupt me, because you are the reason I am here." At this, a broad grin graced his face, and he settled back into a chair beside my desk.

"The greatest thing that can happen to any human soul is to become utterly filled with love; and self-sacrifice is love’s natural expression" (William Temple, Christian Faith and Life). As preeminently illustrated with God giving his only begotten Son that we should not perish, but have eternal life. A high standard that we can only approximate.

"There is no surprise more magical than the surprise of being loved; it is God’s finger on man’s shoulder" (Charles Morgan, The Fountain). In this regard, the divine initiatives often come as a surprise to us, while a testimony to his creativity. It is more often in retrospect that we discover the wisdom entailed in his behavior.

"We should take pains to be polite to those whom we love. Politeness preserves love, is a kind of sheath to it" (Mark Rutherford, More Pages from a Journal). Civility is not only an expression of love, but preserves it in the face of obstacles.

"Nothing is sweeter than love, nothing stronger, nothing higher, nothing broader, nothing is more lovely, nothing richer, nothing better in heave or in earth" (Thomas a Kempis, The Imitation of Christ). Whatever the alternative, love is certainly to be preferred. Love and let life fall into place as a result.

"Love to God is the slowest development to mature in the soul. No man ever learned to love God with all his heart, and his neighbor as himself" (Henry Ward Beecher, Proverbs from Plymouth Pulpit). It is said that fear (reverence) of God is more readily embraced than affection. Even so, reverence may be a valid first step toward an enduring relationship.

"All noble qualities feed and exalt Love. They in turn are by Love fed and exalted. Love, even as a passion, derives singular strength for its alliance with them" (Mark Rutherford, Last Pages from a Journal). This recalls the saying, "One is known by the company he or she keeps." Since such associations either contribute or hinder the intent.

"Love is the supreme badge of any true Christianity, and the traits of the beatitudes in a person’s life are a surer evidence that he belongs in Christ’s family, than is the fact that he holds current opinions on obscure questions of belief" (Rufus M. Jones, Spiritual Reformers in 16^th and 17^th Centuries). While in a qualified sense true, it does not condone a faith that departs from the teaching of Jesus and the apostles. Love as Christ loved, out of respect for that which is true.