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A
More Excellent Way
In a local congregation, relationships between brothers and sisters in
Christ should be peaceful and loving. Yet the Bible recognizes the fact
that the flesh is weak, that disciples will behave carnally at times,
and that, therefore, they need instruction on how to behave.
This is seen no clearer than in Paul’s first letter to the brethren at
Corinth, in his description of how things were in
the churchen there. They
were divided over preachers. Some were taking others to court. Still
others were using their God-given liberties in a way as to cause their
brethren to sin. And then there were the self-inflicted problems with
their spiritual gifts, resulting in arrogant attitudes in some, envious
feelings in others. To sum things up, it was a divided congregation that
desperately needed to unite.
What was God’s answer to these seemingly insurmountable problems? Love
(1 Corinthians 13). And the Holy Spirit through Paul didn’t leave
anything to be misunderstood. Notice how He spelled out what love will
do (and not do).
Love puts up with a lot. It “suffers long,” “bears all
things,” and “endures all things.” This in no wise means that
a disciple tolerates sin in his brother’s life. However, in those
matters of judgment which do not involve right or wrong, he is patient.
Love believes the best about a brother. Love “is not provoked.”
Whereas the person in the world might look at the actions of some as a
‘call to arms,’ the disciple won’t allow that to happen. He’s not
looking for a fight. Rather, he “believes all things” about his
fellow disciple, always in his mind putting his brother’s actions in the
best possible light. When some might offer ‘proof’ about an alleged
error in his brother’s life, he still continues to “hope all things”
about him.
Love keeps oneself in a proper perspective. The disciple who loves
doesn’t look down on others. He doesn’t “parade” who or what he
is, nor is he “puffed up.” And, if it should seem that some
brethren ‘have more going for’ them than he, he isn’t jealous. “Love
does not envy.” Envy would cause him to “rejoice” when his
brother falls, but love brings him to “rejoice in the truth.”
Love doesn’t want its own way. It “does not seek its own.”
The attitude of some, “It’s my way or the highway,” is not found in the
disciple who loves. This quality of unselfishness causes him to listen
to his brother and consider his point of view.
Love is courteous. It is “kind” and it “does not behave
rudely.” The disciple who loves does not ‘fly off the handle’ with
his brother or seek to provoke him.
Love forgives. It “thinks no evil” -- “keeps no account of
evil” (NKJV margin). The disciple who loves does not keep a mental
ledger of past wrongs suffered, ready to be pulled out at a moment’s
notice. He doesn’t go around with a chip on his shoulder from grievances
he has allowed to fester. He forgives and forgets.
Love is “a more excellent way.” “Love never fails” when it abides in the
Christian. But too often we fail, just like the
Corinthians, because we fall short in employing it. Too often we are
impatient, proud, suspicious, selfish, rude, and unforgiving -- and
carnal, as far as God is concerned. “For where there are envy,
strife, and divisions among you, are you not carnal and behaving like
mere men?” (3:3)
God commands us to “pursue love” (14:1). Honestly now, do you?
--Mike Noble
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