Following people is easy. Following the crowd even easier. We have learned to follow people since we were children…on the playground, in the classroom, in style, fashion, and in the latest trends. We have learned to follow what’s popular, which is usually found in what the crowd says “is in”. But, what about following behind something or someone that isn’t as popular as the latest and greatest crowd pleaser? A little harder.
Today’s Truth: 1 Corinthians 12:31-13:4a
“And now I will show you the most excellent way. If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing. Love is patient, Love is kind….”
Processing the Truth
The Apostle Paul was speaking of the function of the body of believers, the church. He was speaking of everyone having their part, their contribution, their gifting. Then he tells us that there is something more important than gifting, and he actually calls it the Most Excellent Way.
This Most Excellent Way is the Way of Love...God’s Love. It is important to note that the love Paul spoke of clearly was not human love, but in the original language the word for love here is Agape, which is God’s Love.
How do we get God’s Love?
Romans 5:5 ” God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.”
When we received the gift of God into our lives, in Jesus Christ, we were born again and given the Holy Spirit. At that time the love of God, Agape, was poured into our hearts. Unfortunately because we don’t realize this great gift that was given to us, we continue to live in our carnal or human ways of loving, which don’t go very far. We follow the crowd, or what is popular in gauging our relationships and gauging if we are loving people. We follow the rules of Human Love, even though we have God’s Love in our hearts. C.S. Lewis has written about Human Love and God’s Love in his book The Four Loves, ” Human love is always a need love, with self-centered motives. But God’s love is always a gift love with no strings attached.”
When following Jesus into the most excellent way…the way of love…we are to be dependent on the Agape that is in us via the Holy Spirit. And, as we become aware of what has been deposited in us, it becomes a responsibility to follow after Jesus and the life of love, that is most excellent way to live.
We will keep the discussion going about The Most Excellent Way, but for today, think about the verses in today’s conversation. Process them. Thank God for what has been given you in Christ. And, begin getting comfortable with the idea that if it’s the most excellent way, it’s the way God would give us the courage and freedom to walk in.
Follow the crowd? Anyone can do that.
Follow Jesus? It takes a woman who wants to experience God in the details of her life to do this. Jesus is all about the details, the inner change, the development of human lives, the fullness of His Spirit within us making a difference.
Today’s Prayer
Lord, my way is not the best way. My love is limited by emotions, hurt, happiness, rejection or acceptance. My love is often tied into my own needs being filled…or not. Thank you that you poured your Agape love into me already. Today may I be aware of the gift of that love, and now I ask you to teach me how to FOLLOW THE MOST EXCELLENT WAY.
