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"And now abideth faith, hope, love, these three;
but the greatest of these is love." 1 Corinthians
13:13.
This verse from St Paul is often used to emphasise the all
pervading virtue. The most desirable attribute in Christian
philosophy, love.
There is the suggestion that Paul might have added "but
greater than these is LOVE" with an emphasis on two kinds
of love - human and divine - the love of people for people
and the all embracing love of God. The thought has the merit
of comparison between the love that is the most desirable
asset in human relations, and LOVE, God's intimate relationship
with people.
There is no doubt that Paul in this hymn of love, 1 Corinthians
13, thought of love in both dimensions. He thinks of his own
life and its progression through the stages of learning and
growth.
"When I was a child I spake ..... understood as a
child, but when I became a man I put away childish things."
There is time and distance between childhood and manhood,
a progress in learning, thinking and doing, a continuous learning
process that is endless in life. Paul is at his most practical
when he describes the qualities of love. It is patient and
kind: not jealous, conceited or proud: not bad mannered, selfish
or irritable: holds no grudges, condemns evil, extols truth.
The virtues are listed to remind his readers of the necessity
of living lives that are honest and honourable, above all
loving and selfless. Not just a "good life" which
can be negative and unfeeling in its treatment of others,
but goodness that is Christ-like in its humanity, decency
and sensitivity. A little girl prayed perceptively:
"O God, make all the bad people good and the good
people kind."
Paul had Jesus in mind when he wrote for in His life He clearly
illustrates the supremacy of love. And so Paul describes love
as the one priceless possession. Leslie Weatherhead echoed
Paul when he said: "I know that God is love .....
by contemplating the man Christ Jesus."
Paul lists what were regarded as of importance and value
and says that while they will pass away love will remain.
He is joined by other New Testament writers who make the same
assertion - to them, too, love is the all important. John
says: "If we love one another, God dwelleth in us
and His love is perfected in us."
Peter concurs "above all things have fervent love
among yourselves, for love will cover a multitude of sins."
Someone adds: "Love opens the book of life and unlocks
the secrets of the kingdom of God."
Paul states a principle for those who value life as a process
in living and learning, and who accept that there are questions
to be left unanswered. He says, "Now we see through
a glass, darkly, but then face to face. Now I know in part;
but then shall I know even as also I am known."
Faith is necessary! It is by faith that we are assured of
the reality of God's love. But there is a time when we shall
see Him as He is, and then, "faith will vanish into
sight; the clouded glass will be removed to make way for the
perfect vision of the King in his beauty."
Hope is necessary! Without it we lose heart. Always there
has to be the expectation, anticipation, for that is what
makes life a journey into the unknown with satisfaction and
completion at its end. Hope has to be patient, but when the
journey ends hope.
Paul's insistence on love retains an everlasting relevance
for love is the one emotion most needed in this and every
age. Christian love, Christ inspired and Christ-like in its
performance, is the greatest and most obvious need in our
society. Where it is at work the benefit is to be seen in
lives lived by the help of God and in caring for others. Faith
is the stem, hope is the leaf and love the blossom. They are
required in the growth of the tree of life. But greater than
these is the LOVE of God. Love which has its potency in the
life, death and resurrection of Christ.
"God was in Christ personally reconciling the world
unto himself."
A prayer: "May we live by faith, walk in hope and
be renewed in love until the world reflects your glory and
you are all in all. Even so, come Lord Jesus." Amen.
Rev. Canon Dr. S.E. Long
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