Note for 2024/05/16

‭1 Corinthians 13:1-13 KJV‬

[1] Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. [2] And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. [3] And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing. [4] Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, [5] doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; [6] rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; [7] beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. [8] Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away. [9] For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. [10] But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away. [11] When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things. [12] For 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. [13] And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.

https://bible.com/bible/1/1co.13.1-13.KJV

Friends, today I have to expand from what was written this morning in quiet time, because of the importance of today’s note. So first, here is what was given this morning…

“I know this chapter is read all the time, especially at weddings. Yesterday we read about the fruits of the Holy Spirit, the gifting but also about the order and the office of the church. This is a continuation from there.

Let us first get this information about the word "charity" (Agapē in Greek) that is used here, and link it with where else it is used.

Agapē is the sacrificial, unconditional love of God.

Agapē is the word that describes God’s love in John 3:16, “God loved the world in this way …” (CSB). We are commanded to love God (Matt. 22:37) and love one another (John 13:34) with agapē love. Agapē is the word for love used in 1 Corinthians 13.

And here now is where the concern in me comes from, the use of it out of context. Because there is another word in Greek for love and that is Philos (and this is not used here in this chapter.)

Philos means warm affection or friendship.

Philos was commonly used with reference to friendships or family relationships. For example, it was used in Matthew 10:37 to indicate love for father and mother or son and daughter. Philos was the word used of Jesus’ love for His friend Lazarus (John 11:3,36) and His love for His disciple (John 20:2).

Now there is also the word Eros, but let me rather link you to the source where I found these so we can continue with the rest of this.

https://explorethebible.lifeway.com/blog/adults/3-kinds-of-love-session-8-1-corinthians-131-13/

The charity used in the KJV is thus an indication that this points to that higher form of love that is associated with the love of GOD. It is this love that takes such a high standing, over faith and hope. Not Eros, which is not used in the Bible and pertaining to the physical side of things, nor Philos that pertains to warm affection for a family member or friend.

This is where my concern comes in again. The Lord said that we should not vow and that our yes be yes, and our no be no. And yet, are vows not exchanged before GOD in modern marriages?

Friends, I am not coming against love, neither am I coming against marriage; in fact, I stand in defense of it. For there are things that have crept into society and have become common practices and yet, the root of it might just have a more sinister plot. Today, we have the vows and do not forget the contracts and licenses and, and, and...

Here, it is shown what love is supposed to be. The love of GOD supersedes all other forms of love and it can only come in perfectly by the very Holy Spirit of GOD. If then understood that chapter 13 is a continuation from chapter 12, this here will then be the highest form of the fruits of the Spirit. It is indeed when we attain that which is the Love of GOD in us for others. Then it comes more naturally to us to have a deeper concern for each other than mere affection and friendship. Then we too hope for the salvation of the soul of man. This is where it becomes this sacrificial form of love, where love is more about giving than receiving. This form of love is not the love this world advertises and promotes everywhere. No! That love is eros, which is much closer to the word we know as lust. Charity is then the highest form of love and aptly used here instead of the word love in the King James Version of the Bible.

Now, let me show you the insanity of this world. People find eros in themselves for each other, maybe even philos; but then make a vow in the sight of GOD on the principles of Agape love. Yes, they sign contracts and wedding certificates and licenses. What is all of that?

Let me tell you one of the possible reasons why this is done. And once more, I stand in defense of marriage, by the institution of it originating from the Most High GOD at creation. For man will cleave unto his wife and they will become one. What this world is hiding is the high case count of adultery. The many wives and husband's mankind is taking to himself when they join to be one. So how many times have you taken a husband or a wife? How many times have you been divorced then?

Instead, these special marriages, that include vows (which many will break, and that a vow before GOD) and a registration process with the government, is something else. You can check into that further yourself, for now I want to get back to this here; charity.

What Christ Jesus did for us upon the cross, that is the Agape Love of GOD. And when He appeared to His disciples after the resurrection, He instructed them to love one another, even as He loved them. Is the love between a husband and wife not supposed to be the deepest love between two people? Is that not the example that is used as we'll one day sit at the marriage feast of the Lamb of GOD as His Bride?

Understanding also requires the true definition of what is understood, not? If it is defined incorrectly, or the wrong definition is understood, what then do we stand for? A lie?

The Charity (Agape) Love that is spoken of here is only confirmed in the nature and the practice of that which constitute to the definition of it. It is the act that makes it what it is. So James says too, faith without works are dead, and those works come by way of this Agape love of GOD. Then it is not work or service, but acts of expressing this Agape love to others, in Christ, by the Holy Spirit. This love does not seek self interest first. This love gives without expectation of return and yes, this love forgives even without repent. This love covers a multitude of sin, is patient and kind from within, by the very nature of this love. It is a higher form of love installed in man by GOD. This love flows from the Holy Spirit and replaces the incessant love of self. This love, friends, is the fruit that is higher than any other fruit of the Spirit, but will also produce all the other fruits in due season.

Can this then be expected from the godless? Those who have not accepted Christ yet? And are all that believe, not on the path of deliverance and sanctification? Are any of us perfect yet? Understand then the high divorce rate, for men and women are expecting this from each other, while they themselves cannot give it without Christ.

So, have patience with each other. Be tolerant of each other even. Cover each other's weaknesses and be quick to forgive. Have compassion for one another for we all still struggle with the higher things of faith. We are still learning. We are still on the way, someday, we will arrive where we were heading, but that day is determined by the LORD. Forgive then, as you were forgiven by God in Christ.”

That concludes what was written this morning in quiet time. The enormity of this, leads me to add more. On the blog and in the pdf format of the document, I will be adding pictures to relay some of the nature of this Agape love written about. (Link provided at the top of this message to the expanded note for this day. Look for the expanded section on the blog or in the pdf document please)

Shalom

Verse of the Day

(Expanded from Verse 24 as given by YouVersion Bible App)

‭Proverbs 11:23-27 KJV‬

[23] The desire of the righteous is only good: But the expectation of the wicked is wrath. [24] There is that scattereth, and yet increaseth; And there is that withholdeth more than is meet, but it tendeth to poverty. [25] The liberal soul shall be made fat: And he that watereth shall be watered also himself. [26] He that withholdeth corn, the people shall curse him: But blessing shall be upon the head of him that selleth it. [27] He that diligently seeketh good procureth favour: But he that seeketh mischief, it shall come unto him.

https://bible.com/bible/1/pro.11.23-27.KJV

Expanded Note

GOD is love

The phrase “God is love” is written in the Bible, specifically in the book of 1 John 4:8. The passage reads: “Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love.” This is further elaborated in 1 John 4:7-12, which discusses the nature of God’s love and its manifestation among us. The passage emphasizes that love is not merely an attribute of God, but it is part of His very essence3. Therefore, God is not just loving; at His core, He is love.

Next, we must look at how this then is brought within us.

The Bible enlightens us that we are the temple of God, as stated in 1 Corinthians 3:16-17, “Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you? If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy him. For God’s temple is holy, and you are that temple.” It further proclaims that the Kingdom of God is within us, as Jesus said in Luke 17:21, “People will not say, ‘Look, here it is!’ or, ‘There it is!’ because God’s kingdom is within you.”

The scriptures also convey the message that God is with us. As stated in Matthew 1:23, "Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel” (which means, God with us). Even more intimately, God is within us through the Holy Spirit. This is the Spirit of God sent to us by the Father in the name of Christ, as mentioned in John 14:26, “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you.”

If God is Love, as written in 1 John 4:81, then the Love of God is brought into us by the Holy Spirit. This is beautifully expressed in Romans 5:5, “And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.” Thus, the divine love of God permeates our being through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit."

It is then by this same Spirit of GOD working in us that we see the fruit of the Spirit manifest in us, when we permit the Spirit of GOD to reign in us. Then we see some of the actions that may even leave people speechless.

For your benefit, I have created a few images to portray acts that merely visually represent that which is born of the Spirit of GOD in AGAPE.