In the first three verses of 1 Corinthians chapter 13, Paul spoke of the value of love and how it is superior even to the gifts of the Spirit, which the Corinthians prized. Then in verses 4-7, we were treated to the virtues of love as we saw what love does and does not do. Paul now concludes this chapter on love’s longevity, which he will show in two ways:
•Vs. 8-10: First, Paul measures love’s longevity based on time, making a remarkable statement: “it has no end.”
•Vs. 11-13: Second, Paul measures love not on mere time but on its quality throughout time, making an equally remarkable statement that love will never evolve or mature into a new state—it is pure perfection.
That is what makes this section so completely remarkable—there is only one thing that needs no tweaking; instead, it tweaks those who are fortunate enough to allow it to have its perfect work. Love does not need to change. It is His love in action that ought to set us apart from the world, not just what we say we believe, but rather how we live in love!
Where is the conquest of Christ’s love through our life? All too often, we look to some “new thing” to cause people to want to leave the old life behind. Have we prayed for a “new encounter” with the Lord, but it is not something new that we need—rather, it is to be mastered by His love, which has already been shed abroad in my heart! It is so simple, yet so profound: “Jesus will impact the world where He has placed us to the degree that His cross has mastered us!”
It is the life mastered by His cross that I will be “patient, gracefully useful, and honest” towards all. It is this life mastered by His cross that we will not display envy or parade myself, inflating my own importance. Neither will there be seen any rude or self-seeking behavior, nor temperamental attitude that takes a record of wrongs or rejoices in others’ misfortunes. No, there will only be His love displayed to a world that, with all its technology, gadgets, and gizmos, cannot compete with the love of Christ!