An Explanation

Love is necessary in speaking the truth of God Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. 1 Corinthians 13:1

Love is necessary in speaking the truth of God but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ— Ephesians 4:15

Love is necessary in speaking the truth of God and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved. 2 Thessalonians 2:10

Love is necessary in speaking the truth of God 3 For our exhortation did not come from error or uncleanness, nor was it in deceit. 4 But as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, even so we speak, not as pleasing men, but God who tests our hearts. 5 For neither at any time did we use flattering words, as you know, nor a cloak for covetousness—God is witness.

Love is necessary in speaking the truth of God 6 Nor did we seek glory from men, either from you or from others, when we might have made demands as apostles of Christ. 7 But we were gentle among you, just as a nursing mother cherishes her own children. 8 So, affectionately longing for you, we were well pleased to impart to you not only the gospel of God, but also our own lives, because you had become dear to us. 1 Thess 2:3-8

Love is necessary in speaking the truth of God 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, but have not love, I am nothing. 1 Corinthians 13:2

Love is necessary in speaking the truth of God You know that you were Gentiles, carried away to these dumb idols, however you were led. 1 Corinthians 12:2

Love should motivate true giving And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing. 1 Corinthians 13:3

Love should motivate true giving 1 “Take heed that you do not do your charitable deeds before men, to be seen by them. Otherwise you have no reward from your Father in heaven. 2 Therefore, when you do a charitable deed, do not sound a trumpet before you as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory from men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward.

Love should motivate true giving 3 But when you do a charitable deed, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4 that your charitable deed may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you openly. Matthew 6:1-4

Love should motivate true giving But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. 2 Corinthians 9:6

Characteristics and Attitudes of Love

Positive Characteristics Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; 1 Corinthians 13:4

Positive Characteristics does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; 1 Corinthians 13:6

Positive Characteristics bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. 1 Corinthians 13:7

Characteristics of love: Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; 1 Corinthians 13:4 1. Does not parade itself 2. Is not puffed up 3. Does not have rudely

Positive characteristics of attitude 1. Is not provoked (1 Cor 13:5) 2. Thinks no evil (1 Cor 13:5) 3. Does not rejoice in iniquity (1 Cor 13:6) 4. Believes all things (1 Cor 13:7)

Lessons for Us Today

The Christian should strive for loving attributes. 1. Love can great calm when other things create storms. 2. The Christian should always seek the calmness that comes from sincere love.

The absence of love generates many heart problems. 1. When love is not present, negative attributes will raise their ugly head. a. Bitterness, hatred, envy, gossip, jealousy, and the list goes on. 2. Such anti-love attributes hurts not only the Christian, but the church as well.

Conclusion 1. Love is a type of apologetic or defense of God’s reality. God who is love and has given us the capacity to love. He who does not love does not know God, for God is love. 1 John 4:8

Conclusion 1. Love is a type of apologetic or defense of God’s reality. God who is love and has given us the capacity to love. 3. Love is potentially a foretaste of heaven