APRIL 10

The Excellency of Love

Bible Reading: 1 Corinthians 13

1 Corinthians 12:31b, “And I will show you a still more excellent way.”

The church in Corinth had more than its share of problems–division, partisanship, tolerating gross immorality, engaging in lawsuits (before the unbelieving), disrespecting the Lord’s Supper, etc.  But it was their misuse of their spiritual gifts that garnered the most critical and detailed response from the Apostle Paul.  Three chapters in First Corinthians (12-14) were devoted to this theme.  And right in the middle of that we find the so-called “love chapter.”  The believers in Corinth were confused about their spiritual gifts.  Some were pridefully vying for attention in what they supposed to be the more important roles, and thereby disregarding others.  In the prideful misuse of their gifts there was confusion.  The misuse of their gifts–which were to be exercised for the common good in the building up of the body–debilitated the church from the very thing that could work to resolve their problems.  

Paul responded by reminding the believers of the nature of Christlike love–the love by which they had been called and the love to which they called.  Apart from love, they were nothing.  As Phil Ryken has commented, “Paul began by proving that love is absolutely indispensable.  Nothing else matters, only love.  No matter how gifted we are, or what we do for God, we are nothing without love.  Loveless prophecy, loveless theology, loveless faith, loveless social action, even loveless martyrdom are all equally worthless.  Nothing can compensate for the absence of love.  John Chrysostom would go even further.  When he preached on this passage to his congregation in Constantinople sometime during the fourth century, Chrysostom said: ‘If I have no love I am not just useless but a positive nuisance.’”

And so in 1 Corinthians 13:4-8a we have this beautiful description of the nature of Christ-like love.  The fifteen qualities of love–what love does and doesn’t do–are all perfectly exhibited in the Lord Jesus Himself, In fact, read through the passage replacing the word love with the word Jesus.  The passage makes perfect sense that way.  Then read through it again, instead replacing the word love with your own name.  Kind of humbling, right?

The key terms used in this passage are all verbs.  While the love described here might involve our emotions, at the heart of each of these actions is a deliberate act of the will that seeks to prefer and seek the benefit of the one loved.  The passage is beautifully poetic, and has adorned plenty of wedding brochures and household walls, but if these truths are to adorn our hearts it will require dramatic changes in the way we think and behave.  Changes that will only be possible as we depend on the Spirit and pay careful attention to the Word!  

As we’ve seen in previous days, we’ve been incredibly blessed by God’s love, which in fact has been “shed abroad in our hearts” (Romans 5:5, KJV).  God calls us to “walk in love,” as channels of that love we ourselves have received (Ephesians 5:2).  To walk in love is to love like Jesus.  The striving to love like Jesus is what the church is all about.  And here in this passage we are challenged to do that!

To Love Like Jesus is The More Excellent Way

Heavenly Father.  How easy it is for us to do and say things apart from love. And in so doing we cause ourselves all kinds of troubles.  Forgive us our sinful tendencies to engage in such prideful and selfish behaviors.  How thankful we are that You are perfect in all Your ways!  We never need doubt the integrity or majesty of Your love, which You’ve proven in sending Jesus to die for our sins.  By the Spirit You’ve filled up our hearts to overflowing with Your love, but not just so we might soak it up.  You’ve designed us to be conduits through which we might love others and according to the same kind of love which has been revealed to us in You.  May our ears harken to the glad tidings of a more excellent way, and may our hearts respond accordingly, that we might be a blessing both to ourselves and others!  That You might be honored in all!  Amen!

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Author: looking2jesus13

Jerry L. Conklin was born and raised in Hillsboro, Oregon. After graduating from high school, he enlisted in the United States Navy and served for six years in the Navy’s Nuclear Power Program. He was assigned to the USS *Omaha* (SSN-692), a nuclear-powered fast-attack submarine, where he served as a reactor-plant electrical operator. His military service took him to ports and locations throughout the world and provided extensive technical training, leadership experience, and an enduring appreciation for those who serve in the Armed Forces. Following his Navy service, Jerry earned a bachelor’s degree in Nuclear Technology from Thomas Edison State University. He worked at the Trojan Nuclear Plant near Rainier, Oregon, first as a reactor operator and later as a training specialist. After sensing God’s call to pastoral ministry, he left the nuclear-power industry and earned a master’s degree in theology from Western Conservative Baptist Seminary in Portland, Oregon. Jerry served for twenty-seven and a half years as senior pastor of Lewis and Clark Bible Church in Astoria, Oregon. During those years, he preached and taught the Scriptures, provided pastoral counseling, performed weddings and memorial services, trained church leaders, and served individuals and families throughout the community. He also served as a fire department chaplain and participated in a variety of community ministries. After retiring from full-time pastoral ministry, Jerry and his wife, Laura, moved to Heppner, Oregon. There he served for approximately four years as a chaplain with Pioneer Memorial Home Health and Hospice, providing spiritual and emotional support to more than 150 patients and their families. In 2023, the Oregon Association for Home Care honored him as its Chaplain of the Year. Jerry also helped establish South Morrow County Seniors Matter, a nonprofit organization created to address the needs of older adults following the COVID-19 pandemic. As chairman, he worked with community leaders and volunteers to develop a weekly senior meal program, a monthly veterans’ lunch, and other activities and services. The organization served hundreds of seniors, mobilized more than 200 volunteers, and received statewide and national recognition. In 2025, Jerry was named Heppner’s Man of the Year, and his community service was later recognized by United States Senator Jeff Merkley. International missions have also been an important part of Jerry’s ministry. He has made ten trips to Uganda, where he has taught at pastors’ conferences, preached in churches, participated in Bible-school graduations, distributed Bibles and Christian materials, and encouraged local pastors and ministry leaders. He developed the discipleship booklet *First Steps with Jesus* to help new believers understand and grow in their faith. Jerry is the author of numerous books, Bible studies, devotionals, and teaching resources, including works centered on prayer, Christian hope, spiritual growth, and the person of Jesus Christ. His decades of preaching and teaching reflect his commitment to presenting biblical truth clearly, practically, and faithfully. Jerry and Laura were married for nearly forty-two years and raised four children. They were also blessed with three grandchildren. Laura passed away in August 2025 following an eight-and-a-half-year battle with cancer. Jerry currently lives in Hillsboro, where he helps care for his elderly father. He continues to preach, teach, write, and serve others through pastoral and community ministry.

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