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**"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." 1 Corinthians 13:1** 


So I've been thinking on this passage a lot over the past several days, and I thought I'd go over the chapter here since it only consists of thirteen verses. I'm going to focus mainly on the first verse because it ties to all the rest in this chapter.

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<center>Charity</center>
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The word, "charity," in the above verse is also translated "love." When looking at the definition, one can see why both words are fitting. The definition is taken from the exact verse.

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[Strong's Concordance Definition of Charity Link](http://www.godrules.net/library/kjvstrongs/kjvstrongs1cor13.htm)

`Orig: from 25; love, i.e. affection or benevolence; specially (plural) a love-feast:--(feast of) charity(-ably), dear, love. G25`

`1) brotherly love, affection, good will, love, benevolence` 
`2) love feasts`

Everything that we do and say as Christians should represent our walk in Christ.

Have you ever listened to someone, and as they spoke it sort of reminded you of clanking brass?

To be honest, I have (and I'm sure someone has thought that of me too.) That experience took me to the conclusion that the old saying, "actions speak much louder than words," is true.

Someone can proclaim their love for another on the mountain tops with tears and strong emotion, but what speaks loudest is how a person shows his or her love toward others. 

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Someone once told me that, "there is a fine line between love and hate." Which made me think about how quickly we can say we love someone and then in anger feel contempt for that same person.

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<center>What is Love?</center>
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**"Love is a many splendorous thing.**" That's the easy answer.

I'm not sure that one could accurately describe love, but there are three terms used in general to attempt to describe what it is.

&#10102; EROS LOVE Is actually a desire or longing way of expressing love towards another.


&#10103; PHILOS LOVE is the kind of love we'd express for a family member or a pal.

&#10104; AGAPE LOVE is a divine love that God has toward us, the kind of love that He wants to shine through those who abide in Him.

**And hope maketh not ashamed; `because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.` Romans 5:5** 

Agape love can only come from God, and the only way to express this type of love is by abiding in Him, walking in the Spirit and not by the flesh.

His love is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Spirit that is given to us.

It's not by our own works or our own strength, but with Jesus alone that we can show this kind of love toward anyone.


1 Corinthians 13:2 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, and have not charity, I am nothing.

The last verse in this chapter sums this all up wonderfully. It reminds of the passage where Jesus spoke of some saying, "didn't I do all of these marvelous works in your name? And Jesus says, "I never knew you, ye that work iniquity." (Matt 7 21-23.)

**Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. Romans 8:7**
(Some versions us the word "natural" rather than "carnal.")

1 Corinthians 13:3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.
1 Corinthians 13:4 Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,
1 Corinthians 13:5 Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;
1 Corinthians 13:6 Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth;
1 Corinthians 13:7 Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.
1 Corinthians 13:8 Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.
1 Corinthians 13:9 For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.
1 Corinthians 13:10 But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.
1 Corinthians 13:11 When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.
1 Corinthians 13:12 For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.

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1 Corinthians 13:13 And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.
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The greatest of all these wonderful and great things that we can say, and do and walk in is chairty, (Love.)

The most sincere form of love, that only happens when we are abiding in Jesus as He told us to do.

**"Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.**
**"I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing." John 15:4** 

I love that Paul gives the example of going from childhood to becoming an adult, we learn and grow and mature and abide in Christ as we grow. That gives me much hope because I know I falter, but I also know that as I continue to look to Jesus, that He is faithful to finish the good work that He has started in me and in you.

His word tells me so.

**"Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:" Philippians 1:6**

Keep pressing on!!!

August 14, 2017