A LACK OF LOVE [1 Cor. 13]
The final "plague" we want to examine at Corinth was her lack of love. In a way, this was a "microcosm" of all that ailed her. In a way, all her problems seemed to grow out of her failure in this area. Perhaps she wouldn't have been in the shape she was if she had paid better attention to this aspect. The text of this article (1 Cor. 13) is found in a larger context (chs. 12-14).
There was no reason for the saints at Corinth to be divided over their spiritual gifts. All were blessed by the same God (12:5-6, 11). It was God who had arranged the body to function as He desired (12:18). To pit one gift against another was about as foolish as pitting an eye against an ear (12:17). Yet, some disciples at Corinth were too wrapped up in themselves to see what other brethren could do for the good of the body. Paul firmly orders them to "earnestly desire the best gifts" (12:31a). He wasn't speaking of the same kind of gifts. To realize this, they would have to be shown the "more excellent way" of love (12:31b).
The possession & exercise of great spiritual gifts meant nothing without love behind them (13:1-2). These gifts were destined to cease, but love would always be needed (13:8-10). What is really important is how one edifies his brethren (14:26b), and this can only happen when saints focus less on themselves and more on loving others.
I admit that loving brethren at times is still not enough. Love can be shown a certain brother or sister and he/she will still insist on doing wrong. But it is this writer's opinion that many of the problems that "plague" local churches today stem from a lack of love. How many churches do you know that suffer from personality problems, to such a degree that eventually the church splits? A greater emphasis on love would cure this. Brethren in those situations would do well to read these 3 chapters Paul wrote the Corinthians.
Our Lord taught all would know we are His disciples when we have love for one another (Jn. 13:35). Love isn't something you feel...it is something you do. It is the best medicine to stop a plague in a local church of the Lord.
