Loves Attributes.

(1Corinthians 13:1) “If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.”

There are two parts that need to be considered with this verse, the first is to contemplate the tongues of men and of angels; in other words the languages of men and of angels. Secondly that without love I will be a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal, I will be piercing yet without any sweet melody. This morning I will leave you with what I believe Paul taught on this subject, I will try not to get side tracked, as I want us to consider love this morning. For me his teaching is clear, so much time and debate across Christian circles and from their pulpits have cause stumbling blocks to hinder sweet fellowship around our Saviour. He teachers that we must not forbid brothers to speak with other languages, (1Corinthians 14:39) “so, my brothers, earnestly desire to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues.” Yet, it must be done with order, (1Corinthians 14:27) “If any speak in a tongue, let there be only two or at most three, and each in turn, and let someone interpret.” The gift of tongues is orderly or at least should be! For someone to say that they have no control over the gift is contrary to scripture; (1Corinthians 14:32) “and the spirits of prophets are subject to prophets.” That simply means if I have the gift of speaking in tongues I also have the power to speak where and when I choose, I will not find I have no control over it. I may well have a great urge to use the gift as I am prompted by the Spirit to burst forth, but I will never be forced in that sense. However not everyone will speak with tongues to prove that they have received the Holy Ghost. The gift of the Holy Spirit (Ghost) is different to receiving Him as a believer. In other words when God quickens someone who was dead and brings them to life they in turn receive the Holy Spirit. The point is that I do not hold to the premise that we must speak in tongues to prove we have received the Holy Ghost, but we must speak in tongues to claim the gift of tongues, that is one of the nine gifts of the Spirit. (1Corinthians 12:30) “Do all possess gifts of healing? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret?” I trust you see the difference!

Be that as it may, regardless of where you may stand on this particular subject, I want us not to be so obsessed with a particular subject that it causes blindness that hinders our love one for another. Without love we are just hot air, sure I understand and agree that love and truth hold hands and will never be separated, as they complement one another. Love has a face that is beautiful to behold, it is hard to resist even if we are bitter. Consider a man at the feet of Jesus when He hung upon the cruel Roman cross as He cursed and mocked the King of glory, picture the Lord looking into the mockers eyes and crying out to His father, “Forgive him Father as he does not know what he is doing.” What would that cruel sinful man have left in him to continue with his railing accusations? We all have a conscience and although habitual sin will sear and dampen it, it nevertheless with never be totally extinguished. How often we forget our Saviour’s act of love when we are hard pressed by others even when we are in the right. This is what a Christians walk is all about, we need to lay our lived down for one another. We must never compromise truth, that would not be love, but in gentleness we must endeavour to win the gainsayer. Sight for every believer rest at the feet of almighty God and He will determine who is given repentance and who will not receive it. “God does resist the proud but gives grace to the humble.” We must never lose sight of the fact; we are what we are because of God’s grace and His mercy toward us. There is a great temptation amongst every believer, whether young or old to want to glory as if we are better than our brother, as many do have a cleaner track record. Praise God for them! But if we lose sight of the truth in this regard we may find the tumble painful. Paul reasons like this... (1Corinthians 4:7) “For who sees anything different in you? What do you have that you did not receive? If then you received it, why do you boast as if you did not receive it?” Love will acknowledge God’s mercy and grace in and through all. Let us look at her beauty; (1Corinthians 13:4-8) “Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends. As for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away. May our God and Father grant us such love that we will never compromise His truth for error but that we would find such compassion deep within our hearts for the lost that all loves glorious attributes may become part of our characteristics in our endeavours to correct where needed and to “keep ourselves in the love of God, waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life.” (Jude 1:21)

May the love of God silence every doubt that raises its head as we remember our Lords broken body and His shed blood on our behalf, bless His glorious name, Yes I say BLESS HIM, Amen.

Signing off

Tyrone