The Most Excellent Way

“ . . . And I show you a still more excellent way.” (1 Corinthians 12:31)

The eternal love of God, which has existed forever in the Trinity . . . has been made known in history through the Gospel . . . and now continues through the Church, His body, today . . .How? In the most excellent way of agape love.

Here is the most excellent way His love is displayed, God is glorified, and discipleship becomes fruit bearing. If you have ever found yourself asking, “Is there a better way?”, here is your answer.

The Most Excellent Way 1 Corinthians 12:31-13:13

*Each quality is from the essence of God’s nature, especially revealed in Jesus Christ. And each quality must mark those who are followers of Christ and children of God.
Because God is . . . and because I love you . . I will be . . .

1. Patient: Romans 2:4; 1 Tim. 1:16
2. Kind: Eph. 4:32; Titus 3:4
3. Glad: (not jealous or envious of others) Zephaniah 3:17
4. Humble (not boastful or arrogant) Phil. 2:7-8; Gal. 6:14
5. Considerate (not rude or unbecoming) Matthew 11:28; 12:18-21
6. Selfless (does not seek its own) Mark 10:45; John 12:26; Luke 9:23
7. Self Controlled (not easily angered) Exodus 34:6
8. Forgiving (keeps no record of wrongs) Isaiah 55:7; Colossians 1:14
9. Righteous (does not rejoice in unrighteousness) 2 Cor. 5:21
10. Truthful (but rejoices with the truth) John 8:32; John 14:6
11. Edifying (bears all things) Galatians 3:13-14; Rom. 14:19
12. Trusting (believes all things) Luke 23:46
13. Hopeful (hopes all things) John 16:33
14. Enduring (endures all things) John 13:1; Hebrews 13:8

Added promise in verse 8: Love never fails! (Isaiah 55:11)
Verse 13: Now abides faith (saves me from my past), hope (saves me from my future) and love (saves me in the present). But the greatest of these is love.

“Then the LORD passed by in from of him and proclaimed, ‘The LORD, the LORD God, compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in lovingkindness and truth.” (Ex. 34:6)

“But the goal of our instruction is love from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.” (1 Tim. 1:5)


“Now by nature none of us likes to be interrupted when things are going well. We do not like delays in our plans. We all have a strong craving for a trouble-free life and we tend to get irritated when our best-laid plans go awry. We don't like traffic tie-ups on the freeway when we have an appointment. We don't like overheated cars on vacation. We don't like for babies to cry through the night. We don't like checks to get lost in the mail. We like it when life flows according to plan and pleasure. And when it doesn't, our nature is be provoked and to complain and grumble and murmur and be angry and critical . . . My strong craving for a trouble free life must die. My need for an uninterrupted schedule must die. My demandingness that frustrations and interference get out of my way must die. We simply cannot love the way Paul describes until we die. (John Piper)

One of the marks of Christian maturity is not that Christians know more or accomplish more. It is that they love more. As we mature, we experience an ever-increasing capacity to love. We learn how to access and express God’s love in our marriages, our child rearing, our work, and our friendships. Love can triumph in every arena of life.” (Linda Riley)