Bulletin 7: The Way of Love.

Greetings. This is another brief Bulletin - it's about the 'Gift of Love' from God.

Love is a term used by the Apostle Paul on the 'Holy life' through the Holy Spirit. It's not about the physical attractions. All of us value love as God's greatest gift for us, and we suffer without it in good measure, sharing in 'God's glory'. Lack of it causes much loss in families and in marriages through intolerance. Love is a major feature of a mature believer in Jesus. In Ephesians the word 'Glory' occurs eight times and is about the exceeding excellence of God's love. Paul said that love is a necessity to live in (like air) if we are to express the Spiritual Gifts in God's sight: Do you remember what Paul said about the Spiritual Gifts and their great importance? "Follow the way of love and eagerly desire Spiritual Gifts, especially the gift of prophecy. For anyone who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God. Indeed not one understands him; he utters mysteries with his spirit." (Corinthians1,14:1) NIV.

Paul stresses the Gifts which build up the church as a whole, rather than the more spectacular gifts, such as tongues that confer individual benefit. Often this was subject to abuse by the Corinthians, hence Paul's great concern, that was expressed through his letters to them.Love is one of the dynamic words meaning expressions of - patient, kind, unselfish, truthful, hopeful and enduring. Love Is not envious, proud, self centred, rude or provoked to anger. Do you express much of this in your life?Love is greater than Prophecies which will fail, tongues which will cease and the knowledge which will vanish, hence its supreme importance to us.

AMEN

SRD