What the Bible says about “The Most Excellent Way”

“And now I will show you the most excellent way “And now I will show you the most excellent way. If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I am nothing.” 1 Corinthians 13:1-3 NIV

The Importance of Love In relation to Spiritual Gifts – 1 Corinthians 13:1 God gives each of us “spiritual gifts” to aid us in doing His work – 1 Corinthians 12 - 14; Romans 12:6-8 Without love, these gifts are of no value to us or to God’s work! There is no spiritual benefit to them

The Importance of Love In relation to Faith – 1 Corinthians 13:2b We know that without faith it is impossible to please God – Hebrew 11:6 But without love, even the greatest faith is hollow and worthless! – Revelation 2:1-5

The Importance of Love In relation to Sacrifice – 1 Corinthians 13:3 We know that the Christian life is a call to sacrifice – Matthew 25:31-46; Romans 12:1-2 But without love, even the greatest sacrifices are all for naught! – Matthew 6:1-4

“Love is patient, love is kind “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.” 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 NIV

The Description of Love Love is . . . – 1 Corinthians 13:4 Love is patient – suffers long, bears with Love is kind – benevolent, willing to help or assist

The Description of Love Love does not . . . – 1 Corinthians 13:4, 6 Love does not envy – not jealous of others Love does not boast – doesn’t brag about self Love does not delight in evil – never happy to see evil fall upon others but is always pleased when God’s will prevails! – 1 Corinthians 13:6

The Description of Love Love is not . . . – 1 Corinthians 13:4-5 Love is not proud – not arrogant or conceited Love is not rude – not improper or unbecoming Love is not self-seeking – not self-centered Love is not easily angered – not quickly provoked Love keeps no records of wrongs – doesn’t hold grudges!

The Description of Love Love always . . . – 1 Corinthians 13:7 Love always protects – a defender of people Always trusts – believes the best in people Always hopes – optimistic that all will turn out well Always perseveres – never gives up!

“Love never fails. And now these three remain: faith, hope and love “Love never fails . . . And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love” 1 Corinthians 13:8, 12 NIV

The Supremacy of Love Love never fails – 1 Corinthians 13:8 Love will never cease to exist or be without effect Love will never lose its relevance or its power!

The Supremacy of Love The greatest of these is Love – 1 Corinthians 13:12 Now these three remain: faith, hope and love But Love is the greatest of all! – 1 Corinthians 13:12