Love Leads

for at the present moment observing through a mirror, in obscurity, now at that time face to face. At the present knowing from part, now at that time fully knowing just as also fully known. Now, at the present abiding faith, hope, love, these three. Now, of these the most important is love.*

Earlier Paul writes of the gifts given to the body which are to help grow up the body in knowledge of the Son into the full measure of the statue of the image of Christ. Maturity reflects conformation to his image and the gifts are purposed for this. "Be devoted with zeal to the great gifts, now, further I show you a way accordingly going beyond."* We desire the gifts but agape love is a way beyond, transcends. If I have the gift of tongues, prophesy, knowledge, giving, faith, and surrender my body to boast but have not love, it benefits nothing.* Faith without agape love is dead we can say. Why is this so? And why is love the most important of these three? Agape love has no end and leads to perfection.

love never ends now even if prophecies come to an end, even if tongues cease, even if knowledge is brought to an end. For we know in part and prophecy in part, now when that perfection comes that from part comes to an end.*

 Agape Love is infinite, it has no end. It is without bounds, as Paul prays that our eyes be enlightened to the love of God that without bounds.* This is one reason we can say love is greater, but can you think of any thing else? In context we can see it. A child looks obscurely in a mirror, he doesn't see himself as he is fully known. A child only sees part but when perfection comes he is fully known. Perfection means fully developed; complete, entire, as opposed to what is a part and limited. Now, this perfection is that purposed in Christ Jesus as a plan to bring all into the fullness of Him who is all. Perfection is maturity, that purposed in the Church, that we grow up truth in love into knowledge of the Son, into fullness, the full measure of the stature of His image.* Love is important as it is eternal and the bond of love leads to perfection. 

to know the love of Christ transcending of knowledge so that filled to the whole, the fullness of God.* 

Perfection comes through consecration which is in truth, abiding in the words of Jesus. Truth increases faith, in which is our victory. James calls the words of Jesus, the Perfect Law of liberty. The proving in the trial James speaks of brings about perfection, which is maturity, completeness, wholeness.* Paul writes of a Perfect Love, in which perfection is being achieved not through fear but love.* We did not receive a spirit of fear but power, love, and a renewed mind, it is a Spirit of son-ship not slavery, which testifies that we are his children.* Through this process of perfection, of being conformed to the image of His Son, into fullness, hope doesn't disappoint as the Spirit pours out his love into our hearts.* This also speaks of the outcome of consecration being life, and joy that is experienced by children who grow up to be sons and daughters. It is truth that perfects, increases faith, and love that leads us. As Paul writes, Faith is energized in love.* Therefore faith without love has no energy, it is nothing, achieves nothing. We achieve fullness in Christ through knowing him and his love. Love is important as love energizes faith and without love faith is of no benefit.

Now, over all these that agape love, which exists the bond of perfection.*

Love is above these virtues Paul writes of. Love is a bond which binds together. Without love there is no benefit; no perfection in truth. This is another reason why love is great. Perfection is a concept we see in the teachings of Christ. Perfection is the goal of why Paul fights the good fight of faith and runs the race and why he is striving presenting the church mature. And it speaks of the mystery of God's will, that purposed in Christ, a plan for all to be filled to the extent of the fullness of God.* The church, his body is the fullness of the one who fills all things.* In other words the church should be bringing about a fullness in Christ. When we look at perfection in terms of this purpose of fullness in Christ, we can not help but to see a growth process which is called perfection, maturity that bears fruit in the Head, a coming to the fullness of Christ.* In this we have greater understanding into the work of ministry and how that work is bringing about this fullness, perfection in Christ, growing up truth in love.

through his Spirit in your inner being, Christ dwelling in your heart through faith, rooted and grounded in love...*

Paul writes, what counts or what is important; is being a new creation, faith energized in love, and keeping his words which comes from maturity.* Further insight into the mystery of God's will purposed in Christ we see how God is manifesting his wisdom, hidden in the beginning, through the Church to be made known to rulers and authorities in the heavenly realm, according to that eternally purposed in Christ. Paul prays for these three things so that this purpose is fulfilled; that we are strengthened in power through the Holy Spirit, through faith Christ dwells in our hearts, and we are rooted and grounded in love.* The mature plant that bears fruit in the parable of sowing has grown deep roots in good soil, it endures to overcome the weeds planted by the devil and through understanding (in knowledge of the Son) matures to bear fruit.* 

Now, whoever keeps His word, truly in them the love of God is perfected, in knowing that we are in Him.*

We look at this verse in two ways, the love of God leads us into perfection and we experience the fullness of God's love when we grow up into Him, as what is part is being done away with as the fullness or maturity of growth comes, being known as we are fully known. This perfection speaks of God's will that purposed in Christ, a people that he loves and loves Him but also because he is holy a people like him. In this is consecration, which is how God sets apart a people of his own, which is accomplished in abiding in him. It is truth in love we grow up into His full measure, being conformed, transformed into His image. God requires us to be holy like him, through faith we will have victory as He leads us into consecration in truth, and truth increases faith, and love leads us to perfection. Love leads to perfection in truth, to grow up in Him, truth in love.