The Gift of Love
Do you find yourself struggling to find the perfect gift this holiday season? Try giving one of the best gifts ever—the gift of love! Love will never cease to be needed, and it will be forever appreciated. This gift, however, cannot be purchased in a department store, wrapped with a gorgeous bow, or arranged under an elegantly decorated Christmas Tree. Instead, this gift originates in the human heart, and it is thoughtfully expressed around the globe each day by words, actions, and attitudes that have the power to change lives and influence eternities. No price tag can be placed on this gift, the going rate on love is immeasurable, and its value is beyond mere human comprehension. If you want to make a tangible difference in someone’s life today and this holiday season, then learn to open up your heart and discover how to give this special gift of love.
Did you know that an entire chapter in the Bible is dedicated to unwrapping and explaining the gift of love? 1 Corinthians 13 is “the love chapter” of the Bible, and it is located right in the middle of a trio of chapters expounding upon the miraculous gifts of the Holy Spirit. Corinth was a highly troubled local church, and one of their leading woes was their misuse and misunderstanding of the miraculous. 1 Corinthians 12 explains the origin and nature of spiritual gifts, 1 Corinthians 13 clarifies the temporary nature of spiritual gifts, and 1 Corinthians 14 details the proper use of spiritual gifts. In so teaching on this subject, Paul encourages Corinth to follow the “more excellent way” of love (1 Corinthians 12:31) “pursue love” (1 Corinthians 14:1), but then sandwiched between these two exhortations is an explanation of love. Selfless, serving, and sacrificial agape love is talked about nine times out of the thirteen verses of 1 Corinthians 13. The troubled Corinthian congregation needed to know that miraculous abilities meant nothing without love (13:1-3), and love would always be needed even though miracles would soon cease (13:8-13). Paul knew the way of love was the solution to their problems at Corinth. Likewise, giving the gift of love is the solution to the problems in the world and church today.
When we zero in our attention on 1 Corinthians 13:4-7, we find a series of terms to help us understand what it means to love. The words and phrases we find in this unit of Scripture are not adjectives; rather, they are verbs. Verses 4-7 present a picture of the gift of love in action! Love is not a feeling, a wish, or a wispy dream—it’s a decision to do the unthinkable and love the other person even though they might not deserve it or be worthy of receiving it. God, of course, is the ultimate embodiment of these word pictures. This text is a picture of the heart of Jehovah! One could very well read the name of God in the place of “love” in 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 because “God is love” (1 John 4:8). The question is this—can you read this text and truthfully insert your name in the place of “love?” Do the verbs of love describe your day-to-day behaviors? Giving the gift of love begins right here! Let’s work to make these verses a Biblical description of us! That would be one of the best gifts ever!
Brandon Baggett is a former Pulpit Minister for Eastern Meadows Church of Christ.
