1 Corinthians 13.1-13
1I may be able to speak the languages of human beings and even of angels, but if I have no love, my speech is no more than a noisy gong or a clanging bell. 2I may have the gift of inspired preaching; I may have all knowledge and understand all secrets; I may have all the faith needed to move mountains - but if I have no love, I am nothing. 3I may give away everything I have, and even give up my body to be burned but if I have no love, this does me no good.
4Love is patient and kind; it is not jealous or conceited or proud; 5love is not ill-mannered or selfish or irritable; love does not keep a record of wrongs; 6love is not happy with evil, but is happy with the truth. 7Love never gives up; and its faith, hope, and patience never fail.
8Love is eternal. There are inspired messages, but they are temporary; there are gifts of speaking in strange tongues, but they will cease; there is knowledge, but it will pass. 9For our gifts of knowledge and of inspired m
2007-02-14 04:44:06 · 18 answers · asked by lindakflowers 6 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Your answers were encouraging and enlightening. I enjoyed reading each one. Thank you for taking the time to answer and reflect on the verses. It is hard to choose a Best Answer.
2007-02-14 19:59:26 · update #1
It is all summed up in L O V E.
2007-02-14 05:06:32 · answer #1 · answered by Jeancommunicates 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I have wondered upon these verses and felt compelled to apply them to some of my prayers. One reason why is that I had been a Christian for years and couldn't feel what I would call love for God.
Then I happened on a verse:
Psalm 42
1As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God.
I found myself a bit jealous! What did David have with his relationship with God that I didn't. So I prayed about that too!
What happened is God gave me that love that David had for him. And yes, I actually panted after him in desire to be with him. I grow so tired of myself in this life-- being a trespasser still, even though I am not counted as one by him. I sin all the day long. At any time I can put wedges in between me and him. What a foul person I am!
But after having the experience of this new love that I feel for him, I sought to understand moments that I have to talk to him.
That led me to another verse:
Luke 7:47 Wherefore I say unto thee, Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little.
So with the awareness that God forgave me with much, I also love much.
It's interesting isn't it? That the relationship with God just naturally brings repentance, the belief in his word, the heartfelt love for him, the leading to other parts of the word that describes this relationship with him that causes me to grow in spiritual maturity and in faith. . . all without a mechanical attempt at following the word. When I am in the right communion with God, the relationship just flows with God making me able to stand.
2007-02-14 05:04:19 · answer #2 · answered by Christian Sinner 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Now that's a valentine day story. The world is out and about finding bears and flowers and candy, and all kinds of things. They are going to perfrom sexual acts to show their love to another, majority of them not married, so it'll be illegal sex. And there's nothing wrong with celebratin valentine's day. I do myself, but I know that the love they are talking about is artificial. But aren't you glad you know Christ. He's the reason we know what true love really is. A friend that would lay down his life for His friends. If you don't know Him you don't know love. So this let's me know that many people are out doing things right now and don't have love in them. They are preaching and don't have love, teaching, going to every church service and no love. Because if you can't bear the fruit then Christ comes along and curses you. Let's all take this scripture apply it to our lives and love each other. Even the ones you don't like. He say love your enemies.
2007-02-14 04:57:00 · answer #3 · answered by Nish 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
God is teaching me every day, and every day I grow in love. I often kid that I prayed for patience, so God gave me children. That's not too far off - He grants the means to learn patience, kindness, faith. When I fall, He picks me up, patiently, with love. What a great God we serve!
2007-02-14 04:51:50 · answer #4 · answered by padwinlearner 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Great verses.
It's important to note, this isn't just any kind of love he's talking about here. The original Greek word was "agape" which wasn't your family love, or friendly love, or even romantic love - it was real unconditional , pure love. The truest kind of love that Christ showed best.
Thanks.
2007-02-14 04:53:23 · answer #5 · answered by daisyk 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
There's no way I can live up to that in my own strength. And it's talking about God's love, not man's love. So if I want to express that kind of love, I have to have the Holy Spirit living in me and working through me. I have experienced moments of that kind of love, but all-too-occasionally.
2007-02-14 04:52:37 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Speaking of that if we do not have love, what we say or do has no impact or meaning...because Jesus tells us to love one another and to share the truth in love. When we speak it must be out of love. What we do we must do in love for the Lord---and the love of our brethren. The greatest commandment is LOVE!
Ephesians 4:15
Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ.
2007-02-14 04:48:10 · answer #7 · answered by Mandolyn Monkey Munch 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I love the "Love Chapter".
In fact, there is a picture of my husband and I with our hands over I Cor 13 in our wedding album.
That picture is almost 21 years old.
2007-02-14 04:47:35 · answer #8 · answered by Char 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I have felt and experienced such love. May I also have the same gift of "inspired preaching."
2007-02-14 04:46:48 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
true self-interest teaches selflessness
heaven and earth endure because they are not simply selfish but exist in behalf of all creation
to keep egocentricity in check
be enlightened in service, not selfishness
placing the well-being of all above the well-being of self alone
paradox: by being selfless, one enhances self
2007-02-14 04:57:38 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
to corona001000:
Ahem! She has every right to post on here! Ever heard of FREEDOM OF SPEECH and FREEDOM OF RELIGION?!?!Although you also have a right to state your opinion, you should not violate other peoples' freedom rights by reporting them because of their beliefs.
In referral to the Bible passage, I love it! It is one of my favorites. I copied it down this morning in my devotional time. It is perfect for Valentine's Day :).
2007-02-14 04:55:34 · answer #11 · answered by horsesareforever 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋