Paul ends his instruction on charity with this powerful statement. In fact, some have found it so powerful that it is often quoted. The women’s organization of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the Mormons, chose it as their motto at its formation in 1842. What makes this statement so powerful? Like many scriptures, I think it can be understood and applied on several different levels. As we have discovered, charity itself holds some great promises. Is it any wonder that Paul’s final statement on the nature of charity would be to promise us that taking heed of charity in our own lives, developing aspects of its nature, can hold great blessings for each of us?
“Never faileth” denotes an eternal nature, a resistance to the trials and the extremes of passing time. It identifies an anchor of surety in a world that is drowning in chaos most of the time.
What are the things that we can count on? Paul shared them with us in the verses we have been discussing:
“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.
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.
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.
Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth;
Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.
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.”
1 Corinthians 13:1-8
This message is again reiterated in The Book of Mormon by the prophet Mormon.
“Wherefore, my beloved brethren, if ye have not charity, ye are nothing, for charity never faileth. Wherefore, cleave unto charity, which is the greatest of all, for all things must fail—
But charity is the pure love of Christ, and it endureth forever; and whoso is found possessed of it at the last day, it shall be well with him.”
Moroni 7:46-47
Focusing our energies toward Jesus Christ, committing ourselves every day to be the best disciple we are capable of, gives us a certain power. It allows our eyes and hearts to focus on things of an eternal nature even when the world would have us focus on pain, suffering and despair. I think this is part of the great blessings of charity. The Lord is promising us three things:
First, that charity can always be found on the earth until He comes again. No matter how bad things get, there will always be those who still believe and still strive for Christ-like love. There will always be pockets of sunshine and silver-linings in a world that appears otherwise dismal and hopeless.
Second, that the Lord desires us to be part of those disciples who are searching for and participating in the good things of life that lead us back into His presence. He tells us that no matter the trials and adversity we face personally if we will stay focused on Him, and serving others in His love, we can not fail at our mission in life.
In the words of Marvin J. Ashton: “Real charity is not something you give away; it is something that you acquire and make a part of yourself. And when the virtue of charity becomes implanted in your heart, you are never the same again. . . Perhaps the greatest charity comes when we are kind to each other, when we don’t judge or categorize someone else, when we simply give each other the benefit of the doubt or remain quiet. Charity is accepting someone’s differences, weaknesses, and shortcomings; having patience with someone who has let us down; or resisting the impulse to become offended when someone doesn’t handle something the way we might have hoped. Charity is refusing to take advantage of another’s weakness and being willing to forgive someone who has hurt us. Charity is expecting the best of each other.” (“The Tongue Can Be a Sharp Sword,” Ensign, May 1992, 19)
Lastly, I think it is a personal promise to each of us that His charity, His tender mercies, will always be extended to those who seek Him. No matter the amount of times we stumble and fall, when we reach up He’ll be there. His charity never faileth.
“Listen to the voice of Jesus Christ, your Redeemer, the Great I Am, whose arm of mercy hath atoned for your sins;
Who will gather his people even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, even as many as will hearken to my voice and humble themselves before me, and call upon me in mighty prayer.
Behold, verily, verily, I say unto you, that at this time your sins are forgiven you, therefore ye receive these things; but remember to sin no more, lest perils shall come upon you.
Verily, I say unto you that ye are chosen out of the world to declare my gospel with the sound of rejoicing, as with the voice of a trump.
Lift up your hearts and be glad, for I am in your midst, and am your advocate with the Father; and it is his good will to give you the kingdom.”
Doctrine and Covenants 29:1-5
