1 Corinthians 8:1-13 Now as touching things offered to idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffs up, but charity edifies.… Think of love — I. AS THE ESSENTIAL SPIRIT OF ALL OTHER GRACES. It is the life, beauty, strength, very soul of them all. Consider its position in the circle of the Divine attributes. Truth, justice, purity, &c., are perfections of the Divine character; but "God is love." A similar position does love occupy in the ideal character of His true children. II. AS THE BOND OF CHRISTIAN UNITY. Keenness of spiritual insight, zeal for truth, fidelity to conscience, may of themselves have a separating effect; but love draws and cements men together in a real fellowship. Differences in opinion, &c., become of comparatively small account. III. AS AN INCENTIVE TO CHRISTIAN ACTIVITY. "Love is the fulfilling of the law," the end of the commandment. Get your soul filled with love, and you will never want for an effectual motive to all noble living. As the materials of the building arrange themselves and rise into their finished form in obedience to the thought and will of the architect; as the notes fall, as if by an instinct of their own, into their due place according to the inspiration of the musician; as the words flow in rhythmic cadence in answer to the mood of the poet's genius; as the grass, flowers, and corn grow by the spontaneous energy of the creative and formative mind that animates them all — so will you rear for yourself the structure of a beautiful and useful Christian life, if your heart is filled with love. IV. AS THE MIGHTIEST OF ALL INSTRUMENTS OF BLESSING TO OTHERS. By the sweet constraint of His love Christ wins the heart of those for whom He died. By the almightiness of His love He will ultimately conquer the world and build up that glorious temple to His praise — a redeemed humanity. Let His love be the inspiration of our life, and we wield a moral force akin to His and share His triumph. (J. Waits, B. A.) Parallel Verses KJV: Now as touching things offered unto idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth. |
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