WHAT RULES YOUR LIFE PART 2

Table of Contents

1. Introduction: Letting Love Rule Part Two
2. Love as the True Measure of Spiritual Life
3. Love Over Spiritual Gifts and Eloquence (1 Corinthians 13:1–2)
4. Love Is Not Proven by Sacrifice or Being Right (1 Corinthians 13:3)
5. The Character of Love: Patience, Contentment, and Humility (1 Corinthians 13:4)
6. Love’s Predictability and God’s Giving Nature (1 Corinthians 13:5; John 3:16)
7. Love Rejoices in Truth, Not Systems (1 Corinthians 13:6)
8. Love as a Fortress and Foundation for Relationships (1 Corinthians 13:7)
9. Love Is Eternal and Supreme (1 Corinthians 13:8, 13)
10. Closing Exhortation: Love as Our Resting Place

Introduction: Letting Love Rule Part Two

Pastor Leonard opens by explaining that this is part two of a two-part series on letting love rule our lives. He reminds the audience that part one established the foundational truth that God is love, and that anyone who truly knows God will walk in love. He openly repents for moments in his past preaching where anger, frustration, or harshness toward others may have been present. He acknowledges that even when correcting error or addressing doctrinal differences, responding without love is not consistent with God’s nature. This sets the tone for the message: love is not optional, secondary, or stylistic; love is supreme and must rule every aspect of a believer’s life.

Love as the True Measure of Spiritual Life

The pastors emphasize that love is not measured by how well someone understands Greek or Hebrew, how correct their theology sounds, or how polished their teaching is. Instead, love is measured by fruit. Is love ruling a person’s life? Is there genuine care for others? Is there evidence of understanding God’s love for them? Pastor Leonard stresses that this applies not only to evaluating others but to evaluating ourselves. Love must be the controlling factor in ministry, teaching, and daily life.

Love Over Spiritual Gifts and Eloquence (1 Corinthians 13:1–2)

Pastor Lori reads 1 Corinthians 13:1: “Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.” They explain that eloquence, prophetic language, and spiritual expression mean nothing if love is absent. No matter how poetic, profound, or impressive someone sounds, without love, their words are reduced to noise.

She continues with 1 Corinthians 13:2: “And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.” The pastors emphasize that gifts do not define a person; love does. Identity is not rooted in spiritual performance but in love, because God is love and He lives within believers.

Love Is Not Proven by Sacrifice or Being Right (1 Corinthians 13:3)

Pastor Lori reads 1 Corinthians 13:3: “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.” Pastor Leonard explains that love does not need to prove itself through extreme devotion, martyrdom, or self-sacrifice. Love is not about defending a point of view or proving someone else wrong. While beliefs can be shared, love does not tear others down or exalt itself through argument. Love is secure and does not require validation through sacrifice or debate.

The Character of Love: Patience, Contentment, and Humility (1 Corinthians 13:4)

Pastor Lori reads 1 Corinthians 13:4: “Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up.” They explain that love is passionate about life, patient with others, and kind even when wronged. Love does not keep score or take account of offenses. It does not seek superiority, nor does it teach or preach from a place of inferiority toward others. Love rests in contentment, grounded in the assurance of God’s love.

Love’s Predictability and God’s Giving Nature (1 Corinthians 13:5; John 3:16)

Pastor Lori reads 1 Corinthians 13:5: “Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil.” Love is predictable because love gives. Pastor Leonard connects this to John 3:16: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” God’s love is dependable and trustworthy. Because God is love, believers can rest in Him. Pastor Leonard also references Psalm 46:10: “Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.” Love allows believers to rest in God’s care rather than striving or reacting out of fear.

Love Rejoices in Truth, Not Systems (1 Corinthians 13:6)

Pastor Lori reads 1 Corinthians 13:6: “Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth.” Pastor Leonard clarifies that love does not rejoice in systems, labels, translations, or theological camps. Love rejoices in the truth of Jesus Christ—faith in Him for righteousness and salvation. Love celebrates who Jesus is: Lord, Savior, and the author and finisher of faith.

Love as a Fortress and Foundation for Relationships (1 Corinthians 13:7)

Pastor Lori reads 1 Corinthians 13:7: “Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.” Love is described as a fortress where people feel protected, not exposed. Pastor Leonard uses marriage as an example, explaining that love—not agreement on every detail—is what holds relationships together. Love seeks the best in others and provides safety, stability, and endurance.

Love Is Eternal and Supreme (1 Corinthians 13:8, 13)

Pastor Lori reads 1 Corinthians 13:8: “Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.” They explain that spiritual gifts and knowledge are temporary, but love is eternal. Finally, Pastor Lori reads 1 Corinthians 13:13: “And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.” Love is the ultimate reality that faith and hope have always pointed toward. Love defines the eternal moment and the believer’s true identity.

Closing Exhortation: Love as Our Resting Place

The pastors conclude by emphasizing that love—not knowledge, correctness, or spiritual performance—is what truly matters. Love is the resting place of the believer and the guiding force of life. They remind the audience that God’s love is where we rest and from where all true ministry flows.

Thank you for taking the time to read this teaching. We hope this article blessed you and encouraged you to let love rule every area of your life. If this message helped you, please consider sharing it with others so the truth of God’s love can continue to spread.