Belington progressive. [volume] (Belington, W. Va.) 1912-1927, 1921-10-13
|. Party Spirit in the Corinthian
Church II 10 11l


|. Party Spirit in the corinthian
Church Il 10, ~.
In this church rival factions were
contending against each other. Some
were for Paul, some for Apollos, some
for Peter, and some for Christ. The
cause of this condition was failure
to see that the membership composing
His body cannot be divided. BY one
Spirit all were baptized into the one
body Q2:13).
II. Love the More Excellent Way
q Cor 13 :1-13).
All of the Spirits gifts are good,
Not all can preach or interpret
tongues, but all can have the gift of
love. Love in this chapter is the
more excellent way of chapter 12:31.
O The Pre-eminence Of Love wv.
1-3). 1t transcends % speaking with
tongues. For men to possess the lofti-
est eloquence and be lacking in love
is to be as booming brass and clank.
ing cymbal.
(2) The gift Of prophecy-the ability
to unfold mysteries. To be able to
penetrate the mysteries Of nature and
providence is good. but to love is bet
ter.
(3) Faith of the most vigorous kind,
even such as to remove mountains, is
of less value than love.
(4) Philanthropy of the most gener-
Gus sort, causing one to surrender
all earthly goods for the sake of the
poor is praiseworthy, but unless actu-
ated by love is valueless before God.
(5) Heroic devotion which leads to
martyrdom is proftless unless backed
by love.
2. The Attributes of Love wv. 40,
() 1t is long-suffering and kind,
(2) 1t is free from envy. Those
who love are entirely free from the
perior worth and success of others.
90 1t is free from Boosting and
vanity. Love strives to do good to all
and is not careful to seek their admira-
ton and applause.
~ 1t is decorous. Love is always
polite and mannerly; knows how to be-
have at all times.
(5) It is unselfish. 1t is always
seeking the good of others and is for
getful of self
(6) 1t does not give way to passion.
1t does not allow itself to be aroused
to resentment. 1t is not quick tenn
pered.
60 1t takes no delight in evil; does
not impute evil motives to others; is
not suspicious. 1t is forgiving. Love
has no sympathy with that which is
evil, but sympathizes with that which
is true; has a common joy with it.
(S) 1t beareth all things. 1t wraps
itself in the gracious mantle of love
and shuts all evil out.
(9a Love is trustful it looks into
the future with confidence.
(10) Love is hopeful; it seizes the
things of the future and brings them
into the present, appropriating them
for its use.
(11) Love is firm. 1t is free from
vacillation. 1t intelligently sets its
attention to things that are right and
with unvarying strength holds fast.
3. The Permanence Of Love wv. s.
13). O 1t outlasts prophecy. Proph-
ecy in the Scriptures means both a
foretelling of events and the teaching
of the Word of God. Prophecy as pre-
diction shall be fulfilled; prophecy as
teaching shall be brought to an end in
that day when teaching is not needed
(Heb. Sill; Jer. 81 :34).
(2) 1t outlasts speaking with
tongues. The race once spoke the
same language, but as judgment fol
sin and rebellion God brought confu-
sion and caused the people to speak
many tongues The day is coming
when the redemption wrought by Je-
sus Christ shall have been accom-
plished in all its fullness; all nations
shall be brought back to one .ongue.
(3) 1t outlasts knowledge. The
knowledge we now have Is only rela
tive, but the day is coming when this
relative knowledge shall be done away
by the coming in of a wider and noblel
intelligence; the twilight shall be lost
in maturity, for at Christ's coming we
shall see Him face to face and shall
be like Him. Love will always abide
for God is love.