Love Rules
Rule #1Show Unreasonable Kindness 1 Corinthians 13, Mark 6:3044
God’s rule is for love to rule.
“If I could speak all the languages of earth and of angels, but didn’t love others, I would only be a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. If I had the gift of prophecy, and if I understood all of God’s secret plans and possessed all knowledge, and if I had such faith that I could move mountains, but didn’t love others, I would be nothing. If I gave everything I have to the poor and even sacrificed my body, I could boast about it; but if I didn’t love others, I would have gained nothing.” 1 Corinthians 13:1‐3
“One of them, an expert in religious law, tried to trap him with this question: ‘Teacher, which is the most important commandment in the law of Moses?’ Jesus replied, ‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments.” Matthew 22:35‐40
God’s rules are good rules.
“We know we love God’s children if we love God and obey his commandments. Loving God means keeping his commandments, and his commandments are not burdensome.” 1 John 5:2‐3
“For you have been called to live in freedom, my brothers and sisters. But don’t use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love. For the whole law can be summed up in this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Galatians 5:13‐14
God’s rules require God’s power.
“Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.” 1 Corinthians 13:4‐7
“Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing.” John 15:5
Go Deeper:
- Read Matt. 22:36‐40 and James 2:8‐11. What do these verses reveal about the importance of love in God’s rules?
- Read 1 Cor. 13:1‐3. What are some things Paul argues are not enough without love? Why?
- 1 Cor. 13:4 describes love as “kind.” Kindness is demonstrating genuine personal concern for the wellbeing of others, without regard for what they have done or will do to you or for you. What is the difference between merely acting “nice,” and actually being kind?
- 1 Cor. 13:5 says that “love is not irritable and does not keep a record of wrongs.” When are you most likely to get irritated? Who are you most likely to get irritated with? What does irritation have to do with keeping a ‘record of wrongs’? What would have to change in your life to demonstrate the kind of love that is not irritable?
Rev. Brandon Dasinger Teaching Pastor and Director of Missions
bdasinger@frazer.church