Charity= Christ

In our class discussion last Wednesday in Honors New Testament, we discussed 1 Corinthians, and the multiple ways in which it can be interpreted. Paul says that even if we have the tongues of angels it will not be sufficient if we do not have charity. Even if you could know, understand, and predict everything, without charity, that would be nothing. I love how Paul that faith to move mountains is nothing with out charity. We know from (James 2:20) that “faith without works is dead.” The bible dictionary defines faith as a hope for things which are not seen, but which are true. Faith in Jesus Christ is the first principle of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Faith is an action action, but without charity it is nothing.

If charity is more important than knowledge, faith, and prophecy it begs the question: What is Charity? Paul said that charity, “suffereth long, and is kind, vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, is not puffed up, doth not behave itself unseemingly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in truth.” Paul continues the list of the traits of charity saying that it “bearith all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.” It “never faileth.”

If charity is the pure love of Christ, it is the highest type of love. Without Christ we cannot experience charity-his love for us. Therefore this chapter can also be read by replacing the word “charity” with “Christ.” Christ is perfect. Without Christ, there is no need for faith or hope. Christ “suffereth long, and is kind, vaunteth not [Himself], [Christ] is not puffed up, doth not behave [Himself] unseemingly, seeketh not [His] own, is not easily provoked, [Christ] thinketh no evil; rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in truth.” Paul continues the list of the traits of [Christ] saying that He “bearith all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, and [Christ] endureth all things.” Christ “never faileth.” Christ is our Savior and Reedemer. Without Christ we would be overcome with the consequences of our sins. No imperfect thing can dwell with God. Without Christ we are all sinners, and we cannot return to live with our Heavenly Father. Because Christ chose to be our Savior he was able to suffer all things, and he chose to endure all things. He was able to undergo the great atoning scacrifice which frees us from our sins. He was able to endure every pain and heartache. Charity, the love of Christ is the reason that he came to earth as our Reedmer; it is the reason we worship him today and know him as brother, Savior, and friend. As the apostles of today have said “God be thanked for the matchless gift of His divine Son.”