First Corinthians 13 Part 3 God's Love In Us Transforms Who We Are

Spiritual gifts must be guided by the love of God in us.

1 Corinthians 13:1-4  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. 2  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. 3  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. 4  Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, 

Paul began teaching us about spiritual gifts by reminding us to remember that these gifts are administered by the Spirit of God.

If we use our gifts without having the love of God pouring in and through us, then it is nothing in the sight of God. 

Anything exercise of spiritual gifts without the love of God guiding what we do has no value.

This is why the Corinthian church was such a mess. One person was jealous because he did not have the same gift as another person.

Some were jealous because they coveted a prominent gift like preaching. Thus, there were divisions and much discord in that church.

This is why Paul is taking time now to show what God's love in us looks like and what His love will not do.

There are four distinct manifestations of God's love mentioned in this verse. 

God's love in us produces respect for others regardless in our status.  

1 Corinthians 13:5  Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;   

The love of God in us will not behave itself unseemly. If God's love is in us then we will not do or say anything that is base or vile in nature. 

This love will treat all people with reverence and maintain respect for those who are in authority. It will also treat those who are afflicted or suffering with goodwill and kindness.

1 Corinthians 7:36  But if any man think that he behaveth himself uncomely toward his virgin, if she pass the flower of her age, and need so require, let him do what he will, he sinneth not: let them marry. 

This is the only other place that we find the expression "behaveth himself uncomely." In this context, Paul encourages unmarried men to marry if they have feelings of lust toward an unmarried virgin.

This helps us understand that when God's love is in us, we will not be blunt and bash other people with our words. 

Unlike so much muck on social media, we will maintain respect for others, even those with whom we disagree.

God's love in us will help us put others needs before our own. 

1 Corinthians 13:5  Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;  

This love of God in us "seeketh not her own." This love will not lead us to seek our own welfare and promote our own interests.

Instead, this love will also seek the welfare and promote the interests of others. 

We will seek for all people to be saved, for all people to enjoy the blessings from God, for all people to have peace with God through faith in Christ. 

God's love in us will lead us to pray this way and to speak and act accordingly. 

Philippians 2:1  If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies, 2  Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. 3  Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. 4  Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. 

Paul provides a practical example of what this love seeking not her own looks like.

He connects our standing in Christ as essential for God to mold us into like minded Christians who live for God's glory and kingdom.

When God's love is in us, we will seek to bless others rather than putting our own agenda first.

We will help other brothers and sisters in Christ as we are able to. Our culture pushes people to put blinders on and pursue our own ideas, interests and welfare with vigor.

Paul is telling us to take off the blinders and seek to help others as we walk through this life by faith. 

God's love in us will  help us not be prone to angry outbursts.

1 Corinthians 13:5  Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;  

The love of God in us is "not easily provoked." The Greek word means being aroused to anger, being sharp and harsh in our responses to others. 

Being easily provoked means being irritated by other people to the point of exasperation to anger.

God's love corrects our sharp temper. It sweetens or mind and tenderizes our heart toward others. 

Proverbs 14:17  He that is soon angry dealeth foolishly: and a man of wicked devices is hated.  

King Solomon was guided by the Spirit of God to write the book of Proverbs. His Spirit inspired wisdom is a great blessing to us when we study it.

Solomon highlights the negative aspects of not having the love of God in us, such that we are easily provoked. 

A man who is "soon angry" is one who is easily provoked to anger and wrath. He will erupt with angry words and speak like a fool because of his rage. 

He will have a malicious spirit and think about was to exact revenge on others. 

Having an angry heart is the opposite of the love of God in us. 

God's love in us will renew our minds and change how we think.

1 Corinthians 13:5  Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; 

God's love in us changes how we think so that we think no evil. We truly need this mighty help from God's love, because everything about our culture stimulates evil thinking. 

Thinking no evil means God's love will never lead us to reason in our mind how we can get away with some evil word or action. 

Our thoughts will not be filled with suspicions, jealousy or malice toward others. 

Psalm 10:4  The wicked, through the pride of his countenance, will not seek after God: God is not in all his thoughts.

Wicked people have wicked thoughts because they never think about God. Do you want to know why the whole world is drowning in depravity, hatred and evil?

This is the reason why. God is not in the thoughts of evil men, Therefore they plot evil deeds, they speak evil words and they do evil acts. 

Matthew 15:18-19  But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man. 19  For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies: 

Our Lord Jesus Christ highlights what is wrong with our thinking. Evil thoughts and evil actions come out of an evil heart. 

A good tree brings forth good fruit for God's kingdom. An evil tree brings forth corrupt fruit for the Devi's kingdom (Matthew 7:15-20).

God's love in us turns our minds to His Word and His Person. 

Psalm 119:113  SAMECH. I hate vain thoughts: but thy law do I love.

Vain, evil foolish thinking seems to predominate everything around us these days. 

How can a believer in Christ protect his or her mind from cultural defilement? By Reading, studying and thinking about the Word of God. 

Vain thoughts are thrust away by loving the Word of God because it reveals Him to us. It fills us with His thoughts and drives out unclean thinking from out minds. 

Psalm 139:17  How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them!

Blessing is for those who faithfully read and study the scriptures. We begin to grasp the thoughts God has for us, precious thoughts for our good and our blessing and salvation. 

If we attempted to number how many thoughts God has for us we cannot sum them. 

God's love in us will help us think right so that our words and acts are right.

Romans 12:1-2  I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 2  And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. 

We present our bodies as a living sacrifice to God because we are no longer our own master. Christ purchased us from sin's degradation and slavery with His own blood.

He now owns us and Jesus is now our King, our Savior and our Master. Our allegiance is to Christ alone. 

Cultural conformity is the Devil's plan for us but God tells us not to be conformed to this corrupt world.

Instead, we can renew our minds and transform the way we think by the intake of God's Word and the ongoing ministry of His Spirit in our heart.

His truth enables us to think rightly about things. His truth shows His will for our lives and His indwelling Spirit will lead us to submit to His perfect will.

Philippians 4:8  Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. 

Paul wrote to the church at Philippi and in wrapping up his Spirit guided letter, he tells us what to fill our minds with.

Think on these things, the apostle says. Think on things that are true, honest, just, pure, lovely, of good report, virtuous or praiseworthy in the sight of God. 

Thus, Paul is showing us what the love of God will cause us to think about and what it will not dwell upon.

Let us turn to the Bible and ask God's Spirit to open our eyes to His truth that it may shape us into men, women and young people who are Christ's faithful servants.

Let us ask for the Holy Spirit to work this wonderful love from God into our hearts.

Bob