I was talking with a group of preachers one time and I mentioned, "The Love Chapter" in the Bible. Confusion covered their faces and they asked me, "the what chapter?" I kind of laughed, because it did not cross my mind that they could be serious. As I tried to explain it they became even more confused. Then I realized that they did not call it The Love Chapter because they were KJV only believers, and they had no idea that the word, which is translated as "Charity" in the KJV is actually the word in the New Testament that refers to Godlike, Holy, Pure, Self Sacrificing LOVE. I don't think they were impressed with the Greek word that God chose to use. They chose to stay with the word "Charity."
Of course, Paul made it clear that he was writing about holy love rather than charity, because he (by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit) put the action of love in stark contrast with the reality of Divine love, when he said,
1 Corinthians 13:3
3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.
Bestowing goods to feed the poor is "charity," which is not the same as the quality, which Paul was emphasizing, called "agape" (uh gah pay), Godlike, self denying love (unfortunately translated as "charity) in the KJV. Remember, Paul implied that it was possible for a person to have charity for someone, to be compassionate, to care about social welfare and a person's temporal needs, without being either filled or controlled by the Holy Spirit.
My intent, when I started this post, was to talk about the power of love, as it is described in 1 Corinthians 13. But I will address that on another occasion (The Lord willing). However, if you read 1 Corinthians 13, asking God to enlighten your heart concerning the length and breadth and depth and height of holy love, God will impart His love to your heart and flow through you to others.
