The Most Excellent Way

“And now I will show you the most excellent way…Love never fails.” 1 Cor. 1a, 8a

With God being love these two little gems in Scripture are the recipe to a successful life. Life presents us with such a confusing and chaotic canvas for which we live our lives it is no wonder we use so many different colors to paint. Instead of covering our canvas with the purity and ‘whiteness of Christ’ we splash red to denote our anger. There are shades of black in our hearts that we try to camouflage with surface colors but the darkness seeps through. There are yellows of bitterness and greens of greed which power many of our actions.

Paul spoke of a better way, a way ordained by God and exemplified by Christ. The Love Chapter, 1 Cor. 13, gives us a measuring stick for our actions. We can stack any thought, word or action against God’s way – LOVE

Paul’s intent is not only to show us how to love but also to explain to us that love must be the power behind all ways of service to God. My commentary states, ‘that the mere possession of gifts is not as important as the exercise of these gifts in love. Love thinks of others, not of self. The aim of love is to help others and not to please self.’ p. 1797

Faith, hope and love are graces accessed through the love of God. These graces are superior to the gifts and must precede these gifts used in service and relationship with others. Any service or treatment of another without the God given grace of love is null and void. It is neither honored by God nor blessed. The commentary states that love is the greatest grace of all because it is most useful to others and not to self.

Today as I approach every situation I will ask myself, ‘Am I showing the most excellent way?’