Love as a Verb

1 Corinthians 13

 

This scripture is one of the most well-known and well- loved chapters in the Bible.  We recite it at weddings, it is cross stitched on pillows, painted on walls- it is everywhere.  Some of you may actually have it written on a valentine card this week.  It is a beautiful poem and with it being a poem it can take on personal and varied meanings. 

But, what is love?  We use this word so often these days that it seems like it has lost some of its power.  We say it to our family and friends.  We use it casually to describe things we really like; I love chocolate, I love music, I love baseball.  We even hear it as a term of endearment- hello love!  We even use it in a dismissive way- I recently overheard someone way- I love her to death but…

Some who read this scripture may see this as something they strive to have.  They see love as a noun, something to be given, something to receive and when they read this it is often pulled out of context and seen as a list of qualities to look for in a partner.

When we look at it in context with what we read in the chapter just prior to this one it takes on a little different meaning.  Paul has been talking about the body of Christ and how each member is given specific gifts each of which are equal in value and worthy of honor and respect.  He continues to encourage us to use our gifts towards a better kingdom of God and a better church here on earth. 

Paul then is explaining in this chapter what it means to love and serve others in love.  It is used as a verb not a noun.  Paul is telling the church in Corinth as well as us that simply doing is not enough- it is the attitude of love that makes it a clear reflection of Christ.  The people in the church in Corinth were arguing with one another and an environment of one up man ship.  It wasn’t about love.  It was about being right, looking good in front of their friends, showing off and getting the proverbial gold star.

The church today- 21^st Century America often has this same attitude.  We argue and compete over who can be the best at missions, evangelism, memorizing scripture, who has the best bake sales and whose theology is “right”.  We argue within the church- I give my tithe- why can’t everyone else,  I have this job and it is very important, or maybe it is gossip- smiling at one another, giving lip service to being the family of God where everyone is welcome then deny membership or sincere embrace to people who aren’t like us.   We have forgotten that love is a verb.

Recent statistics show that as many as 33% of adults in America consider themselves “spiritual not religious” or not religious at all-who can blame them?  Many of these people believe in God and may be open to Christ but they have seen too many examples of the church acting out of self-righteousness and hate not love that it isn’t appealing to them.

Throughout history Christians and many other religious categories have long used God and religion to justify violence whether it is the crusades of the middles ages, the Spanish inquisition, Emanate domain displacing native Americans, slavery, bombing abortion clinics, violence against homosexuals, burning the Quran and protesting the funerals of fallen American Soldiers.

All of these are done out of a claim of devotion to God and their Christian faith but Paul is telling us this is not what Christianity is supposed to be.  These are not actions of love.  Instead of pleasing God it is a noisy gong and clanging cymbal.  It is giving God a headache.

These may be extreme examples but it is just as annoying to God when we act in the name of Christ for any reason other than love.  Love is the great motivator… some of you may remember the 70’s rock ballad by  Meatloaf  “I would do anything for Love” The only thing he says he won’t do is forget.  How can he possibly forget the woman he loves and how can we possibly forget the love of our Savior Jesus Christ.

We as Christians are lucky- every time we take Holy Communion and I hope every time we are in church and every time we take a breath we remember, we know, at least in part, what it means to be loved by Christ.  Our faith and our experience, our history and trust in God gives us the coping mechanisms to deal with disappointment and hurt feelings.  As the Psalm we said earlier expresses- Even when the world has let us down we know we have hope in a God that loves us. 

Not everyone we encounter in our lives has that experience.  We know we can trust, we know we can believe because God has come through in the past.  When others don’t know of that eternal love it helps to hear about it from those who do.

In this changing and challenging world the stories of those who have experienced the love, provision, compassion and salvation of Christ are necessary to counteract the negative attitudes and the failures of humankind. 

God isn’t going to stop being active but those who don’t know God need to hear your stories.  Children, youth, young adults even older adults need the encouraging words your life story can offer.  They need to hear the stories of what life was like when you were at your lowest and how God and the love of Christ pulled you out of the darkness.  It will offer hope to those who experience pain and fear.  These stories are about recognizing for ourselves that it is God that saves, not our own efforts.  It is a chance to brag on God and share the love of Christ with those who need to hear it most.

We can never love too much, we can never tell our stories of Christ’s love too often.  We can never celebrate Christ’s love too much- Each time we come to the communion table we remember, we rehearse the story, our story about how Jesus loved us so much that he was willing to die for us. 

This type of love that Christ calls us to live is not an easy one.  It is not the romantic love and the warm and fuzzy feelings we may get at Valentines, it is active, risky, difficult and sometimes scary but it is always right and always worth the risk.

Remember the love Christ has shown you.  The times in your life when faith and trust in God got you through and be purposeful and aware of if and how you share that love with others. Whether it is word or deed, be sincere, honest and genuine. 

Love others because God first loved us- even when we don’t deserve it. Love never fails.  Eat the bread, Drink the wine and taste the love of Christ!