A More Excellent Way - 1 Corinthians 13
{R}1CO 13{/R}"And yet show I unto you a more excellent way," the Apostle Paul wrote, a way in which the Spirit of God can be manifested even though we might not possess great gifts. There is a manner in which you and I can be a living witness for Christ to those with whom we are brought into association from day to day. We can be a channel through which the Spirit of God can magnify Christ in His members. When we come to examine it, we find that it is this divine love.
It has often been remarked how inexplicable it seems that the Apostle Paul should interrupt himself here, because the actual subject seems to skip the thirteenth chapter. He passes from the end of the twelfth, where he is considering the gifts, to this subject of love which comes before him. In a way this seems like an interruption. Yet the more we examine it, the more we are brought to the conclusion that not only is the interruption opportune, but it is divine. He shows immediately that if all the most wonderful gifts could be comprised in one gathering, they would be absolutely unprofitable unless they were exercised in this divine way. We can only learn it in communion with Christ. As we walk in communion with the Head of His body, we get His mind concerning His saints, His affections for His people and the thoughts of His heart at the very time when the saints need it. In this way we can be as those who are a witness for Christ, as "an oracle of God," as though God did beseech and utter His word by us.
He begins with that gift which we consider the greatest, that of speaking. We magnify this gift all out of proportion, whether it may be of teaching, preaching or evangelizing. That gift, being one which comes more often before us, we have elevated into a position far too high in the economy of God, to what is needful and what is profitable. He begins, "Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity [love], I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal." 1 Cor. 13:1. I am afraid we have had to find that out. We have to own that a great many, perhaps most of the gifts that God has given to His Church, are scattered at large in this day of weakness and ruin. God has greatly endowed many as preachers and teachers, and yet how often we are conscious of what the Apostle describes here as emptiness and sounding brass. There seems to be a lack of ministry of Christ in such a way as to meet the needs of God's people. It is sad that it should be so, and yet we need to be reminded of it, and also we have to be very careful that the utterances of our mouths would be acceptable in His sight. How often we have to feel and judge ourselves that an utterance to which we have given expression at some meeting or other was mere knowledge. We have not confidently and consciously had contact with the living Head, so that we spoke with assurance as having a word from Him. Let us look to it that what we speak, we get from Christ our Head. He has given us a perfect example of this in John 12:50, "Whatsoever I speak therefore, even as the Father said unto Me, so I speak.”
The Apostle says if he speak but five words in the power of divine love, and it is for the edification of the saints, he esteems it more than ten thousand words, though they might be the voice of greatest knowledge and eloquence. We have to be on our guard against that also. One of the characteristics of the last days is that men would have "itching ears." 2 Tim. 4:3. We are easily tainted with the same thing, We are unwilling to hear a person who desires to speak out of real love of heart for Christ. We naturally prefer something which pleases us. The Apostle says we must beware lest it be "sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal."
F. Lavington
Bible Challenger
The first letter of each of the following responses will form the word which gives confidence to every believer when afflictions come into their lives.
1. The conclusion of a wise man when contemplating the duty of everyone under the sun.
2. The Christian's proper attitude towards those things which are contrary to God's holy nature.
3. Something the Lord Jesus says of Himself referring to the Greek alphabet.
4. What everyone might well do in response to the Lord's deeds among His people.
5. What the Lord Jesus taught His disciples as to properly addressing the Father in prayer.
6. The first step in receiving an important, free gift.
7. A question asked in the chariot of someone visiting Jerusalem.
8. A disciples three-word prayer that was answered immediately.
9. A word describing the path that few seemingly desire to find.
10. An agricultural truth used to illustrate the blessing from the cross of Christ.
11. A lesson on seasoning.
12. A strange command by an army captain to gain extra time.
Answers to these questions will be found in next month's issue of Christian Treasury.
{SH/}Answers to Lust Month's Bible Challenger
1. Prepare to meet thy God, O Israel. Amos 4:12
2. Remember now thy Creator. Eccl. 12:1
3. Enter thou into the joy of thy Lord. Matt. 25:21
4. Shibboleth. Judg. 12:6
5. Underneath are the everlasting arms. Deut. 33:27
6. My grace is sufficient for thee. 2 Cor. 12:9
7. Put up again thy sword into his place. Matt. 26:52
8. Take up his cross, and follow Me. Matt. 16:24
9. Up make us gods, which shall go before us. Ex. 32:1
10. One thing have I desired of the Lord. Psa. 27:4
11. Until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Tim. 6:14
12. Set thine house in order; for thou shalt die. 2 Kings 20:1
“Keep back thy servant also from PRESUMPTUOUS sins: let them not have dominion over me: then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from the great transgression." Psa. 19:13. R. Erisman
Bible Challenger
The first letters of each of the following responses will form the name of someone the Apostle Paul greatly valued because he was not ashamed of the Apostle's chain.
1. What was Herod making just before he died an untimely death?
2. What weapon did Jael use against an enemy of Israel?
3. What was the country over which Candace reigned?
4. What group of people say there is no resurrection?
5. What were the Corinthians saying that the Apostle Paul censured them for?
6. What wage did a householder agree to pay his laborers?
7. What proved more effective in battle for Joshua than the sword?
8. Who was David's grandfather?
9. What is as the sin of witchcraft?
10. What characterizes the judgments of God?
11. What was the Lord's promise to Noah while the earth remaineth?
Answers to these questions will be found in next month's issue of Christian Treasury.
{SH/}Last Month's Answers to the Bible Challenger
1. Caleb (Josh. 14:10)
2. Hagar (Gen. 16:13)
3. Abigail (1 Sam. 25:29)
4. Lazarus (John 11:43)
5. Demas (2 Tim. 4:10)
6. Epaphras (Col. 4:12)
7. Absalom (2 Sam. 15:6)
8. Nun (Josh. 1:1)
9. Sanballat (Neh. 4:1)
“Sit thou silent, and get thee into darkness. O daughter of the CHALDEANS: for thou shalt no more be called, The lady of kingdoms." Isa. 47:5.
R. Erisman
Bible Challenger
The first letter of each of the following responses will form the word describing the type of sins David prayed that he would be kept from.
1. An urgent message to Israel from the prophet Amos.
2. A message to all in the days of youth.
3. A message of acceptance to a faithful servant.
4. A word that separated friend from foe.
5. What makes the eternal God a refuge.
6. The answer to a thrice-repeated request.
7. A rebuke for a flailing sword user.
8. A somber instruction in the art of following.
9. A revolting people's request of their leader's brother.
10. The great single desire of David.
11. How long should the good fight of faith continue?
12. An Unwelcome message for a great king from the prophet Isaiah.
Answers to these questions will be found in next month's issue of Christian Treasury.
{SH/}Answers to Last Month's Bible Challenger
1. Depart from Me. Luke 13:27
2. Escape for thy life. Gen. 19:17
3. Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. Acts 7:60
4. I being in the way, the Lord led me. Gen. 24:27
5. Gather up the fragments that remain. John 6:12
6. He such a one I turn aside. Ruth 4:1
7. Take now thy son, thine only son. Gen. 22:2
8. Speak; for thy servant heareth. 1 Sam. 3:10
9. Open the window eastward. 2 Kings 13:17
10. Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again. John 3:7
11. Enter into His gates with thanksgiving. Psa. 100:4
“And all nations shall call you blessed: for ye shall be a DELIGHTSOME land, saint the Lord of hosts." Mal. 3:12. R. Erisman
Bible Challenger
The first letters of each of the following responses will form the word Scripture uses to describe the land of Israel in the millennium.
1. A sad message to some who will knock at the door of heaven.
2. An urgent message to four people before the destruction of their city.
3. A dying man's request concerning his tormentors.
4. The response of a servant on being led to the house of his master's brethren.
5. The Lord's command to His disciples after many had dined on barley loaves and fishes.
6. What a mighty man said to a kinsman in the gate of a city.
7. A command to an aged father concerning his only son.
8. What a young lad said in the dark of night when his name was called out.
9. A prophet's command to a nervous king with bow and arrows in his hand.
10. A comment to a ruler of the Jews who had thought the way of salvation was a strange process.
11. A message to any who would praise the Lord acceptably.
Answers to these questions will be found in the next month's issue of Christian Treasury. R. Erisman
{SH/}Last Month's Answers to the Bible Challenger
Oration (Acts 12:21)
Nail (Judg. 4:21)
Ethiopia (Acts 8:27)
Sadducees (Acts 23:8)
I am of Paul (1 Cor. 1:12)
Penny a day (Matt. 20:2)
Hailstones (Josh. 10:11)
Obed (Ruth 4:17)
Rebellion (1 Sam. 15:23)
Unsearchable (Rom. 11:33)
Seedtime and harvest (Gen. 8:22)
“The Lord give mercy unto the house of ONESIPHORUS; for he oft refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my chain." 2 Tim. 1:16
Bible Challenger
The first letter of each of the following responses will form the word proclaiming the universality of God's invitation to thirsty souls.
1. A plea from someone feeling the need of cleansing from the defilement of sin.
2. The Christian's proper attitude for men and royalty.
3. David's heartfelt utterance prompting a heroic escapade by three mighty men.
4. Important counsel for those desiring a personal relationship with the Lord in a time of availability.
5. A sad message to someone having great possessions.
6. The time of departure of a father and son for the land of Moriah.
7. The time of arrival of certain women bearing spices at a garden.
8. The answer to the question: "Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?”
9. A command to those who have found joy in the Lord.
Answers to these questions will be found in the next months's issue of Christian Treasury.
R. Erisman
{SH/}Answers to Last Month's Bible Challenger
1. Fear God, and keep His commandments. Eccl. 12:13
2. Abhor that which is evil. Rom. 12:9
3. I am Alpha and Omega. Rev. 1:8
4. Talk ye of all His wondrous works. Psa. 105:2
5. Hallowed be Thy name. Matt. 6:9
6. Faith cometh by hearing. Rom. 10:17
7. Understandest thou what thou readest? Acts 8:30
8. Lord, save me. Matt. 14:30
9. Narrow is the way. Matt. 7:14
10. Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground. John 12:24
11. Salt is good. Luke 14:34
12. Sun, stand thou still. Josh. 10:12
“I know, O Lord, that Thy judgments are right, and that Thou in FAITHFULNESS hast afflicted me." Psa. 119:75. E.