The Greatest of These

W. Carl Ketcherside

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     Many years before Jesus was born the Romans had a motto, "Love conquers all." The motto was correct but the type of love possessed by the pagan world was inadequate. No mere affection could overcome everything because emotions are always variable and affected by external circumstances. It was only when the agape (love) of God was demonstrated in

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the sacrifice of Jesus that mankind came into possession of a power which would eventually dethrone the Caesars themselves and make the cross a badge of honor instead of an emblem of shame.

     The love of Gad was something which could be, and was manifested. "In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him" (1 John 4:9). Life is dependent upon love. No love, no life! That which was manifested can be perceived. The manifestation was God's part, the perception is ours. "Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren" (1 John 3:16). A brother is worth more than my life. Indeed, Jesus teaches that it is better not to live than not to love. "But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea" (Matt. 18:6).

     Love for others is the foundation of the Christian system. It is the ABC in the school of discipleship, the primary lesson which must be learned. "For this is the message that ye heard from the beginning, that we should love one another" (1 John 3:11). That love is not emotional, but motional. It is an activating and compulsive force. "Far the love of Christ constraineth us" (2 Cor. 5:14). The Amplified New Testament has it, "Far the love of Christ controls and urges and impels us." It is this love which is unconquerable and triumphant. While it is true that faith is the victory which overcomes the world, it is just as certain that love is the victory when it comes over the church.

The apostle rises to the summit of human eloquence when he describes the attributes of agape in 1 Corinthians 13. In verses 1-3 he shows that it is indispensable. Without it the tongues of men and angels are as sounding brass and clashing cymbal. Without it the gift of prophetic insight, the understanding of the deepest mysteries and the knowledge of secret truths are nothing. It is not a question of love or something else. It is love or nothing!

     In verses 4-7 love is shown to be invincible. Its faith knows no limit, its hope never fades and its endurance has no end. In verses 8-10 it is affirmed to be indestructible. "Love never fails--never fades out or becomes obsolete or comes to an end." This is not true of prophecy, tongues or knowledge. In verse 13 love is given immortality and majestic greatness.

     It is because we have not realized that love is the power motivation which cements us together, repairs breaches when they occur and binds us in an unbroken fellowship, that we have reduced the Christian realm to its present pitiable and disgraceful state. The early Christians did not conquer mankind by philosophic reasoning, by public debate and forensic striving with each other. The cruel, sadistic Roman populace, seeing the sands of the arena stained with the blood flowing from the lacerated bodies of these humble people, said, "Behold how these love one another."

     Men are frequently persuaded to came into "the church" who have no real sense of covenant relationship with Jesus. No one is truly converted to Him who has not "known and believed the love that Gad hath to us." To know that love is not merely to know about it, or to have heard sermons preached an it as a topic. It is to personally and genuinely experience it, to be captured and controlled, invaded and pervaded by it! To believe that love is not merely to give intellectual consent to it, but to be committed to it, not as to a way of life, but as to life itself!

     Love is not the way of safety, security and conformity. After all these things do the modern heathen seek. Love is the way of risk, adventure and creation. God took a calculated risk when He sent Jesus on the great adventure which made this the "visited planet." Jesus risked everything--he emptied himself of all glory! We will never never be trans-

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formed until we dare to risk everything, make ourselves of no reputation and take upon us the form of a servant. This is love manifested!