Does love require all?

(Mark 12:44) “But she out of her poverty has put in everything she had...”

Before I continue blogging this morn, maybe I should explain how I get to the point on what I pen. It is a thought or an idea that I have read or seen somewhere that now in embryo form sparks a seed in my brain, which I then explore. But even if it is a documentary of the like that gets me to explore a little deeper, my thoughts need to be confirmed by the Word of God and that is what I look to achieve. It is not what was yesterday telephonically suggested that I hear an audible voice from heaven. Faith comes from hearing and hearing the word of God. I may read someone’s blog or see something and then with that information I then explore what I now consider, whatever that may be. We must also remember that God the Holy Spirit will bring to our remembrance what we have already absorbed and without His assistance I would be lost. Without exception I am also looking for His direction.

“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 have said to you.” (John 14:26)

In a nutshell, I look to find what would be the Lord Jesus’ take be on a particular topic, I often use far more gifted men to help me understand a particular subject. In fact at times I would rather use Spurgeon’s teaching or Henry’s commentary and quote it directly as it would be more readily receive by many. And yet I would not refer to their explanation if I did not concur. I hope this now puts to rest any further questions some may have had on the subject.

Let us now pick up from Yesterday. What is this more excellent way that Paul speaks about? And let’s use the Apostle John to draw a parley from his teaching.  I noticed yesterday while penning the account between Peter and John, that although the author was John himself he never makes reference to himself by name, he refers to the “beloved disciple” and through this simple gesture he teaches love. Let me explain. Paul teaches us what love is in Corinthians chapter 13 and a point that is made is this, “love does not envy or boast”, John had it within his power to refer to himself as the beloved disciple by name but chooses not too. He would not boast in that privilege although he could of. This shows us a reason why he is referred to as the beloved disciple, or if you like the disciple of love.

Let us now see Matthew Henry’s take on Corinthians chapter 13:1-3...

Here the apostle shows what more excellent way he meant, or had in view, in the close of the former chapter, namely, charity, or, as it is commonly elsewhere rendered, love - agapē: not what is meant by charity in our common use of the word, which most men understand of alms - giving, but love in its fullest and most extensive meaning, true love to God and man, a benevolent disposition of mind towards our fellow-christians, growing out of sincere and fervent devotion to God. This living principle of all duty and obedience is the more excellent way of which the apostle speaks, preferable to all gifts. Nay, without this the most glorious gifts are nothing, of no account to us, of no esteem in the sight of God. He specifies, 1. The gift of tongues: 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, 1Co_13:1. Could a man speak all the languages on earth, and that with the greatest propriety, elegance, and fluency, could he talk like an angel, and yet be without charity, it would be all empty noise, mere unharmonious and useless sound, that would neither profit nor delight. It is not talking freely, nor finely, nor learnedly, of the things of God, that will save ourselves, or profit others, if we are destitute of holy love. It is the charitable heart, not the voluble tongue, that is acceptable with God. The apostle specifies first this gift because hereupon the Corinthians seemed chiefly to value themselves and despise their brethren. 2. Prophecy, and the understanding of mysteries, and all knowledge. This without charity is as nothing, 1Co_13:2. Had a man ever so clear an understanding of the prophecies and types under the old dispensation, ever so accurate a knowledge of the doctrines of Christianity, nay, and this by inspiration, from the infallible dictates and illumination of the Spirit of God, without charity he would be nothing; all this would stand him in no stead. Note, A clear and deep head is of no signification, without a benevolent and charitable heart. It is not great knowledge that God sets a value upon, but true and hearty devotion and love. 3. Miraculous faith, the faith of miracles, or the faith by which persons were enabled to work miracles: Had I all faith (the utmost degree of this kind of faith), that I could remove mountains (or say to them, “Go hence into the midst of the sea,” and have my command obeyed, Mar_11:23), and had no charity, I am nothing. The most wonder-working faith, to which nothing is in a manner impossible, is itself nothing without charity. Moving mountains is a great achievement in the account of men; but one dram of charity is, in God's account, of much greater worth than all the faith of this sort in the world. Those may do many wondrous works in Christ's name whom yet he will disown, and bid depart from him, as workers of iniquity, Mat_7:22, Mat_7:23. Saving faith is ever in conjunction with charity, but the faith of miracles may be without it. 4. The outward acts of charity: Bestowing his goods to feed the poor, 1Co_13:3. Should all a man has be laid out in this manner, if he had no charity, it would profit him nothing. There may be an open and lavish hand, where there is no liberal and charitable heart. The external act of giving alms may proceed from a very ill principle. Vain-glorious ostentation, or a proud conceit of merit, may put a man to large expense this way who has no true love to God nor men. Our doing good to others will do none to us, if it be not well done, namely, from a principle of devotion and charity, love to God, and good-will to men. Note, If we leave charity out of religion, the most costly services will be of no avail to us. If we give away all we have, while we withhold the heart from God, it will not profit. 5. Even sufferings, and even those of the most grievous kind: If we give our bodies to be burnt, without charity, it profiteth nothing, 1Co_13:3. Should we sacrifice our lives for the faith of the gospel, and be burnt to death in maintenance of its truth, this will stand us in no stead without charity, unless we be animated to these sufferings by a principle of true devotion to God, and sincere love to his church and people, and good-will to mankind. The outward carriage may be plausible, when the invisible principle is very bad. Some men have thrown themselves into the fire to procure a name and reputation among men. It is possible that the very same principle may have worked up some to resolution enough to die for their religion who never heartily believed and embraced it. But vindicating religion at the cost of our lives will profit nothing if we feel not the power of it; and true charity is the very heart and spirit of religion. If we feel none of its sacred heat in our hearts, it will profit nothing, though we be burnt to ashes for the truth. Note, The most grievous sufferings, the most costly sacrifices, will not recommend us to God, if we do not love the brethren; should we give our own bodies to be burnt, it would not profit us. How strange a way of recommending themselves to God are those got into who hope to do it by burning others, by murdering, and massacring, and tormenting their fellow-christians, or by any injurious usage of them! My soul, enter not thou into their secrets. If I cannot hope to recommend myself to God by giving my own body to be burnt while I have no charity, I will never hope to do it by burning or maltreating others, in open defiance to all charity. (Mathew Henry)

Remember the account to the widow and her copper coins, the Lord spoke of her as a charitable woman by her action and she is still remembered today. A woman with very little success in the scheme of worldly recognition, but with God highly commended. This must be our objectives to find favour from God and not to win people opinion polls. This was her heart in the matter; “And he sat down opposite the treasury and watched the people putting money into the offering box. Many rich people put in large sums. And a poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which make a penny. And he called his disciples to him and said to them, "Truly, I say to you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the offering box. For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on."” (Mark 12:41-44) 

Signing off

Tyrone