In light of Mat 22:34-40 and I Cor 13:1-3, does the church teach in the same order or relevance?
Or, if Love is the most important thing, then should'nt love be the churches' most important teaching.
Or, think of the question this way. Why would I set under a teaching concerning... Tonges, (for instance)... If I had not been taught about Love, first?
POINT: If we understand these passages correctly then we must believe that a class concerning the subject of love would always be available and most of the sermons would instruct us on what Love is and how to love.
Because, if we have not loved,... Then we are a clangig gong... Or, whatever else we have done, we have done it in vain.
If, however, I take these scriptures to be foundational and teach christian principals in the order of importance (as theses passages instruct us)... I find an interesting thing happens.
For instance, If I have learned the elements of love, (from I Cor 13:4-8) and begin to operate in a spirit of love, then I no longer account for evil done to me. (one of the principles or fruits of love) And, if I no longer account for evil done to me, then what instruction or teaching do I need on forgiveness?
Forgiveness is what I wrestled with when I was a "child" in Christ... A new Christian. Operating in a spirit of love (God's Love) frees us from the childish ways we use deal with things... Everything, really. This is why Jesus ends the passage concerning Love with the (seemingly "out of place) reference to... "when I was a child..."
When Christians learn this section of scripture FIRST, they not only have learned the most important thing, but have leaped well ahead into their spiritual growth. They really are operating in Christs likeness. They become powerful vessels for Christs' ministry.
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