Yes, it is true, that I was only going to write five articles but I have decided to write one more thus article number six. In this last article about love, this question is before us: “What is love?” For all the married folks, go back to the time you were dating your present mate. What was it, that you called love? What caused you to give a second look at the girl or boy, that was so great in that person, that made you desire to see her or him a second time?
As we try to answer the question, “What is love?” Was it the good looks of the other person, that made us “fall in love?” Was it only looks or was there something deeper? I guess, before we really get to answering our question, we need to know, if we can actually remember that far back. If we try hard enough, we will be able to take that look, that made us give a “second look” at the one we finally married. Many times, it is only the “good” looks of the other person, that caused us to give a second look; that made us go on that second date.
So, what is love? Were you “in love” at the first sight of the other? More than likely, looks did play apart in our making the decision to go on that second date. After all, most of us were young at this time in our lives. As we look at our mates today, we understand neither of us look like we did when young. We may look at photos of the two of us, and say, “I don’t remember you looking so young!” Therefore, we still have the question before us: “What is love?”
Here we will notice once more the words Paul wrote on love; first Paul covers the negative part of love: “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. 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. 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 Cor. 13:1-3). Here the apostle gives us some very striking information. If I, at the time the letter was written, could “speak with the tongues of men and of angels (messengers), what good does it do for me? I am only like “sounding brass or a tinkling cymbal.” Let us understand just here, that speaking in “tongues,” the languages of men, was very desirable. Yet, Paul says, “nothing more than “sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.” Maybe just a “blowhard!” The apostle takes us to “the gift of prophecy,” and being able “understand all mysteries, and all knowledge and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, … I am nothing.” Third, even if, I gave all “my goods to feed the poor;” which is truly a good thing; nevertheless, “it profiteth me nothing.” Then, if for some “reason,” that I perceived as good, “it profiteth nothing!” So, what is the qualifying thing that is missing in these points? It is “charity!” Did I hear someone say, so love is most important in all our deeds! There may be many reasons that a person does something that is “good” but if love is not the motivating factor, I may receive the praise of men, but not of God! What did you do to get the attention of your “first love?” It may have really impressed him or her, but did it impress God?
Now, looking at Paul’s positives, here taking them one by one; as he wrote: 1) “Charity suffereth long,” Now many of us are old and have many needs, which we cannot do for ourselves? Is it not good to know that our mate will endure them. That is how our mate is forbearing with us! But not only so, Paul added, “is kind!” What is this “kindness?” It is understood in the words, “act benevolently.” Is it not a joy to know that our mate is “benevolent” toward us when we cannot help ourselves? 2) “charity envieth not;” that is to have warmth against us, as we become more and more helpless. 3) “charity vaunteth not itself;” that is to say, our mate is not a braggart. When we are near helpless, just think of what we would have to endure, if our mate was a “braggart!” I can just hear one say, I don’t need you but you are dependent on me! Of all the things we might need, to hear such words just makes it harder to endure! 4) “is not puffed up,” and these words mean: “sense of blowing; to inflate.” Here you are, after many years of marriage, and now you are so dependent on your mate, and all you hear, day after day, in your mate “inflate” their importance to you!
Let us here conclude this series of articles on love, with Paul’s last words: “Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. Charity never faileth!” As you read these words, please think of your mate and what he or she may think of you! The good looks are gone, and what we have left, is love! So, what is love?
Frank R. Williams