Why Love is the Greatest
A recent email exchange focused on the longstanding Orthodox church debate about whether one is saved by faith alone or whether works are required. This is a worthy topic to review no matter how far along one is on their salvation journey. The question arose from a reader of the article “Heeding the Lord’s Commandments in Faith” and specifically zeroed in on this verse and what I wrote.
1Co 13:13 And now abideth faith, hope, love (aka charity), these three; but the greatest of these is love
Here at the end of the so-called “love” chapter and without diminishing the role or importance of faith, the Apostle Paul proclaims that between faith, hope, and love; love is the greatest of all. Paul is not contradicting any Scriptures by making such a bold claim. His proclamation merely harmonizes the truth that the SUM of the Scriptures contains.
The gift of the faith of Jesus Christ begins and sustains us on our long journey to the promised land as we strive to cease (rest) from our carnal-minded works. In this respect, faith could be considered the most important because nobody can come to and abide with the Lord without faith. It is the essence of any walk with the Lord. Without this foundation of faith, it is impossible to please God.
Heb 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
The trials of our faith, which are very many tribulations and our fiery baptism, are precious to the Lord because they produce the desired results of righteousness, sanctification, and obedience which are the promises of salvation. The revelation of Jesus Christ in us is the result, the outcome, the works which the Lord demands and secures in our day of the Lord.
1Pe 1:7 That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:
1Pe 1:8 Whom having not seen, ye love [obey]; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory:
1Pe 1:9 Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.
The end of our faith is greater than the beginning as it completes the plan of God for everyone. Godly love [the Greek word “agape” versus the word for fleshly love which is “phileo” in Greek] is the fulfillment of what faith is designed to produce. It is the end product, the result, or said another way, the fruit that grows out of our faith. The gift and measure of faith each of us has is the means to our salvation. Achieving the purpose of our faith is to produce love in every fiber of our being as we become ONE with the Father and Christ.
Joh 14:21 He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.
Joh 15:10 If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love.
What is Love?
The topic of love cannot properly be discussed without first defining it. Love is everything, far more important than what we first believed. Why is this?
1Jn 4:7 Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.
1Jn 4:8 He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.
God is love! We are striving to become like our heavenly father and thus love needs to become the essence of who we are in Christ.
Christ told us often to follow the golden rule: to do unto others as we would have them do unto us. It is easy to love those who love us, yet we are told to love even our enemies. By this measure, we have further to walk to complete our journey and put on the mind of Christ.
Luk 6:31 And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise.
Luk 6:32 For if ye love them which love you, what thank have ye? for sinners also love those that love them.
Luk 6:33 And if ye do good to them which do good to you, what thank have ye? for sinners also do even the same.
Luk 6:34 And if ye lend to them of whom ye hope to receive, what thank have ye? for sinners also lend to sinners, to receive as much again.
Luk 6:35 But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil.
Luk 6:36 Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful.
The Lord ends this passage of teaching with the call [commandment] to always be merciful as is our heavenly Father. Being kind, courteous, patient, and gentle with those who oppose us are all traits of our God and commandments to His people.
Yet sometimes, what is loving in God’s eye may appear unloving to the carnal eye. This is especially true regarding the commands to separate ourselves from those causing offense or bringing false doctrines We are to mark and separate from those [e.g. Mat 7:6, 1Cor 5:5, 2Jo 1:9-11, and many others].
Rom 16:17 Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.
We need to guard our gates and take heed that we not be led astray by many wolves that come to us in sheep’s clothing. We need to always be on guard and not be easily swayed by immediate appearances.
Act 20:29 For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock.
Act 20:30 Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.
Act 20:31 Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years, I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears.
Exercising such vigilance in our walk and separating from those the Spirit shows us are not true sheep, may not seem loving to the carnal mind; yet these are key commandments essential for us to stay on course.
Doing what Jesus would do is doing what God commands us to do and that is always going to evolve around obeying His commandments. If our actions are not in line with obeying His commandments, then we can be sure it is not love in the way the Lord defines it.
1Jn 5:2 By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments.
1Jn 5:3 For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.
This love, godly love, is the fruit of salvation and evidence that we belong to the Lord and are His people, being “disciples indeed”.
Joh 8:31 Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;
Our faith gives us hope and trust in the promises to come. A genuine faith in God will not be in vain as the Spirit of Christ within us is leading us and guiding us along the way. The result is our producing more godly love in due time.
Rom 5:5 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.
Throughout the entire chapter of 1COR 13, not just the last verse, Paul tells us that the manifestation of love is the most important thing. Exhibiting love is the fulfillment of our faith and the proof we are being saved.
Obeying the Lord’s commandments is us manifesting the love of the Lord as we are saved from our sins and carnal ways. Our actions speak louder than our words in setting an example for others in Jesus Christ. Preaching all the right things but living a life devoid of love makes us a clanging gong and not an example for others to follow.
1Co 13:1 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.
Paul tells us we are nothing if we have not this love, even if we all the knowledge of the mysteries of God and have the faith to move mountains. Love is always the most important thing.
1Co 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.
Even our many good works in the flesh such as giving to the poor is no substitute for living a life defined by godly love.
1Co 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.
It is easy to become puffed up about our faith, the knowledge we have been given, and the good works we are doing. Yet the standard of Christ is much higher, it is the standard of love.
1Co 13:4 Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,
1Co 13:5 Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;
1Co 13:6 Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth;
1Co 13:7 Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.
Lord willing we are making demonstrable progress towards this highest calling and seeking the fruit of our salvation. For this love to be revealed we are being moved onward from our earlier preoccupation of seeking knowledge. In due time as we enter into our day of the Lord that pursuit is indeed vanishing.
1Co 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.
Becoming a doer of the word is the same as becoming a fruitful disciple of Jesus Christ. We can learn knowledge about prophecies and the types and shadows hidden in the prophets but can then quickly forget them. But getting the calling to obey His commandments and be Christ at every turn into the very essence of our being is something we will not forget if it takes hold of us. Far better to be single-minded and one with Christ than to hear the word but not do it.
Jas 1:23 For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass:
Jas 1:24 For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was.
Jas 1:25 But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.
When the Lord finishes His work in us, we are a mature man in Christ. For now, we only have a measure of faith and an earnest deposit of the Holy Spirit so we are all far from perfect as was Jesus Christ who had the fullness. Yet we look forward to the glorious day and are admonished to remember that love or charity [Agape in Greek] is indeed the greatest.
1Co 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.
1Co 13:13 And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.
Works of the Law versus Works of Faith
Some are confused and twist these truths and claim this is some sort of works salvation. No, it is not! This like all truths requires us to navigate what is called the narrow way of understanding. The works of the law and our works arising out of our faith are indeed different things. There is both a carnal law for the lawless (the law of Moses, righteousness, etc) and also a law of faith.
Gal 2:16 Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.
Rom 9:31 But Israel, which followed after the law of righteousness, hath not attained to the law of righteousness.
Rom 9:32 Wherefore? Because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumblingstone;
To be clear, nobody is saved by the works of the law, yet as James explains, the works arising out of our faith is proof our faith is living and active versus being dead.
Jas 2:17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.
Jas 2:18 Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.
Jas 2:19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.
Jas 2:20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?
James continues with the examples of Abraham and Rahab and then makes the controversial (in the Orthodox churches ) statement by saying one is not justified by faith only.
Jas 2:21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?
Jas 2:22 Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?
Jas 2:23 And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.
Jas 2:24 Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.
Jas 2:25 Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way?
Jas 2:26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.
Many orthodox [all Babylonian] ministers are confused and conflicted over these words from James and other Scriptures that speak of good works and obedience. One can easily find online articles and sermons where disdain is expressed by carnal ministers about the Book of James. To many of these orthodox preachers, James conflicts with their doctrine that one is saved by faith alone. Yet there is no conflict; these carnal Christians simply have not yet been given the ability to see and understand the whole counsel of God.
We are saved by faith which sets in motion the mechanisms of the Lord to give us overcoming in due time. As we are led by His Spirit, we become like Him and exhibit godly love in our actions and deeds. These “works” that came about because of our faith proves we are the Lord’s. As we mature we no longer turn grace into a license to sin and instead are striving to walk the narrow path and enter into life.
The false doctrine of the 30-second sinner’s prayer being the start and end of the salvation journey helps keep millions blinded to the deeper meanings of godly love and the fruit of obedience that mark progress on the walk of faith. It is a far easier message for itching ears to hear about an instant salvation and a journey without suffering, without being taught righteousness by our many trials and which also ignore the many litmus tests and admonishments to examine ourselves to see if we are acting in the faith.
We need to be aware of our progress or lack of progress in bringing forth the fruit unto righteousness. We are commanded to be fruitful, it is what the Lord expects and is the outcome of being saved from our sins. We are to pray for one another in this regard, which Paul demonstrates in his letter to the Philippians.
Php 1:9 And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment;
Php 1:10 That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ;
We have a long road to salvation that we need to endure and finish. We have countless Scriptures that teach us to examine ourselves to see if we are in the faith. We are admonished to run the race, not lazily but with vigor so we may win the prize. Merely showing up and starting the race is not going to cut it.
1Co 9:24 Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.
1Co 9:27 But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.
Our faith of Jesus Christ is indeed the foundation of our walk. Yet we are told that faith can be in vain. Lord willing we are given the awareness and the vigor to examine ourselves to make our election sure.
2Pe 1:10 Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:
James said as much here. Bottom line: any faith without works (faith producing LOVE which is our obedience) is indeed DEAD and in vain. James asks a rhetorical question to the early church that we have forgotten to ask ourselves in this day and age.
Jas 2:14 What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him?
Paul tells us that our righteousness only comes by way of our faith. It has nothing to do with our works or striving under the law. Yet the sum of the Word also shows us we cannot claim to be righteous if we are not DOING righteousness.
1Jn 3:7 Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous.
We deceive ourselves for a time and a season but the Lord cannot fail. He brings our sins and misdeeds to the light so they may be burnt up. Our consciousness is convicting us and helps turn us back when we stray from the Lord’s way. Proving our faith by our works of faith is something we are brought to focus on in our day of the Lord.
2Co 13:5 Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?
Lastly a few words about trees and the Scriptural metaphors and parables that speak to our walk of faith. We are to know a tree by the fruit it produces. As we mature in the faith and grow unto maturity, we are producing spiritual fruit that is the outcome the Lord desires. The first fruit listed in Paul’s list of fruits of the Spirit is love because it is truly the greatest.
Gal 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
Gal 5:23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
In the email exchange that was my catalyst for writing this article, a brother argued with me that a tree without any limbs or fruit is still alive as their justification for why faith is the most important. The things of the natural do tell us how it works in the spiritual [Rom 1:20]. Why this brother has a point, the bigger truth is that unless a tree without limbs, branches, or leaves starts producing them, it will certainly die. So it is with our faith. We need to at some point begin to demonstrate the love of God by bearing those fruits. If we are not then our faith is dead and James is absolutely correct.
Whether we are producing the fruit that is godly love or not, it is still up to the Lord who is working all things according to His will. All men are mere clay in His hands and apart from Him can truly do nothing. If we are aware of our shortcomings in demonstrating love; that is a very good sign the Lord is working with us to try our faith, correct us by showing us our sins and thereby save us in the appointed times.
We should be asking for help when in need to bring about His will in producing much fruit. Thy kingdom come thy will be done in heaven and in the earth.
Joh 15:7 If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.
Again we see that bearing fruit is the mark of a true disciple [disciples indeed] that glorifies the Father.
Joh 15:8 Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.
Joh 15:9 As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love.
Joh 15:10 If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love.
Achieving the outcome of our salvation is the greatest victory and event we ever experience. No argument, with me, Paul was spot-on correct in stating that love is the greatest.
1Co 13:13 And now abideth faith, hope, love (charity), these three; but the greatest of these is love.
Grace and peace to all the brethren,
Pete