Having reviewed 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 in the previous lesson, let’s learn more about how love contrasts with other things that we may prioritize highly. (As a reminder [per Oster, p.305-306], this book of the Bible was originally a letter to the Corinthian church, so the supplied attributes of love contrast with problems that we find in that historical church, whether in factions, in using gifts to be self-serving or proud, or in moral issues.)
Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when completeness comes, what is in part disappears.
1 Corinthians 13:8-10 NIV
“Love never fails.” You may have heard someone say that they’ve never seen a hearse pulling a moving van. We understand that temporary things like money, stuff, and fame are transient. They don’t carry over to eternity, except where we invest them in things that will last (whether in our relationship with God, or in guiding others to an eternity with Him).
In that light, though, have we also considered that spiritual gifts (as discussed from 1 Corinthians 12 in earlier articles) don’t necessarily last, either? In eternity, when we can listen to truth and wisdom from God Himself, there won’t be any need for prophecy or special knowledge or discernment. I also suspect that we’ll all speak the same language in eternity, or have plenty of time to learn, so speaking in tongues shouldn’t be needed. Thank God that we will have new bodies, and won’t need healing. Miracles and faith will give way to living in the presence of Jesus directly.
All the earth-bound things that people in the church think are pretty great today (like preaching at a megachurch, becoming a popular author, having God work miracles through someone, or even speaking in tongues); those things are as temporary as having your song on the Billboard Top 40, or getting your supposed “15 minutes of fame”. None of those things last forever, because they aren’t needed forever. They are part of this temporary time on earth.
And, even the most advanced knowledge and prophecy today is – at best – partial, compared to the omniscience of God. [Ref. Oster, p.308]
However, there is something that will last, both here on earth and when the new heaven and new earth are revealed to us. Love continues. For one thing, God’s love carries forward: from His creation of us, through His sustaining of us, in Jesus’ sacrifice for us, and on to eternity with us. In addition, our love for others can also carry forward. Imagine seeing people that we love in eternity, both those that we led to Christ, and those already in the church with whom we built close, loving relationships. Imagine the joy of seeing those in eternity whom we have served here on earth, along with those who helped us by using their God-given gifts.
In that eternal day, we can continue to love one another, but as far as our spiritual gifts, abilities, skills, and opportunities that God gave us here on earth, only those that were invested into others in love are expected to have any lasting effect. I think of everything else – wasted opportunities, squandered gifts, and the use of God-given gifts in unloving ways – as being burned up on the day of judgment.
So, how about you? Are you investing your life into love – love for God and love for others – or are you making decisions based on anything else?
From Sunday School lesson prepared for April 21, 2024
References:
- The Lookout, April 14, 2024, © 2024 Christian Standard Media.
- Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
- The College Press NIV Commentary – 1 Corinthians, by Richard E. Oster, Jr. © 1995 College Press Publishing Co.
Those Who Sin Differently 