The Excellent Way #10

One Of The Many Bathing Pools In Israel

There were 3000 converts to the church at its miraculous inception.(Acts 2:2; Acts 2:17; Acts 2:41) And at its beginning there was true unity.(Acts 2:44) Soon there was to be a multitude of converts added to the church.(Acts 4:4; Acts 5:14) There was still to be unity.(Acts 4:32) The gospel was eventually preached and spread to the entire world.(Rom. 15:19; Col. 1:6) And numerous churches were established throughout the Roman Empire.

What as the glue that was binding the people of God together in unity? Some would say doctrine or items of worship or decorum of all sorts. But what did Paul give us through inspiration as the cause of our true unity? He said it was love. And lest the Corinthians mistake his meaning, he simply defined it for them.

It is interesting how he did this, though not surprising. He did it with words, specific words. I wonder if they tired of that method. Some do today. It is too meticulous, to wearisome to deal with words in that way. Yet they are so inconsistent. For words are very important to them. How about dinner, golf, ballgames, fishing, vacation, payday, health, grandchildren. Excuse me if that is too preachy.

Paul dealt with many churches with many people with various strengths and weaknesses and backgrounds and preferences. What would mold such people together. He was not about to let them misunderstand his meanings about love. So he used their vernacular and he did it with specific words about love. They understood well enough baptism, belief, repentance, confession, church, etc. But did they understand the true meaning of love. He would not take that chance. For it truly was and is the glue that was intended to protect and enhance their relationships with one another and thus their unity as the people of God.

Paul would say to the Romans "Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for he who loves his fellow man has fulfilled the law." "The commandments, "Do not commit adultery," "Do not murder," "Do not steal," "Do not covet," and whatever other commandment there may be, are summed up in this one rule: "Love your neighbor as yourself." "Love does no harm to its neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law."(Rom. 13:8-10)

Jesus taught that love is the basis of everything spiritual. To the question "...which is the greatest commandment..." Jesus answered that one should "Love the Lord your God with all your heart..." and "...Love your neighbor as yourself."(Mt. 22:36-40) "My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you."(Jn. 15:12)

How this all important word has eluded us. So many of us have great understanding of baptizo(to baptize), homologeo(to confess), metanoeo(to repent), pisteuo(to believe), ekklesia(church), but when it comes to agapao(to love) our thinking is a little fuzzy. I think I know why. Agapao demands something of us daily. It is more than a written handbook of polity; it is more than a philosophical display; it is more than a good sermon or a great speech. It is a lifestyle. And I am afraid all the rest will make very little difference without it...For Jesus said everything is summed up in this word...What glue it is...

Paul's next word study about love is found in I Cor. 13:5..."...it is not rude..."