Originally published Friday, 13 April 2018.
This is the last line uttered in 1 Corinthians 12, the precursor to 1 Corinthians 13, widely known as the love chapter. In Chapter 12, Paul speaks of various spiritual gifts in the body (i.e. the Church) and how even though we are different we all need each other to function properly. There are many gifts but they are all given by the same Spirit. He uses the analogy of the body to demonstrate how we all work together. At the end of the chapter, he tells the Corinthians to covet earnestly the best gifts - a more excellent way. In a spiritual sense, the thing that binds us together is love which is generated by His Spirit.
What Paul is saying is that love, true love in all its facets is greater than all the many things that we are each gifted with. Our gifts mean nothing without love. Love emanates from the heart, it's a conscious decision; it's not always easy but we know love works, love covers a multitude of sins, love heals, love sacrifices. This song "Love Is a More Excellent Way" reminds us that we should aim for excellence, for without love we are nothing.
Love is a More Excellent Way
Verse 1
I could speak with the tongue of men and angels
Love is the more excellent way
But if I don't have love, I'm just a clanging cymbal
Love is the more excellent way
I could have the faith to remove the mountains
Love is the more excellent way
But if I don't have love then I have nothing
Love is the more excellent way
Chorus
Love is Humble, all of the time
Not easily angered, enduring the test
So never forget
Love is the more excellent way (unison)
Verse 2
I could have the gift of prophecy
Love is the more excellent way
But if I don't have love, does it profit me?
Love is the more excellent way
I could understand all my mystery
Love is the more excellent way
But if I don't have love it's not enough you see
Love is the more excellent way
(Chorus)
Verse 3
I could throw my body into the flames
Love is the more excellent way
But if I don't have love, I don't have anything
Love is the more excellent way
I could give to the poor everything I own
Love is the more excellent way
But a heart without love is just a heart of stone
Love is the more excellent way
Let's strive to be loving in every area of our lives - at work with our grumpy co-workers, at home with our spouses and children, within God's family at church, or wherever we may be, so that the world can know we are different by the love we show.
But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way. 1 Corinthians 12:31
Love is a MORE excellent way. Strive for excellence. Have you experienced this love?
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