1 Corinthians 13
“I don’t like my job!” Have you ever said that. There is part of every job that is unpleasant. Most jobs are tolerable, some are terrible, while many jobs are terrific. Yet within every job there is often one component that is unpleasant and therefore we often avoid doing it. Simply avoiding the task does not remove our responsibility to complete it and therefore complete our job. The same is true when it comes to living the christian life. The church of Corinth was having a problem exercising genuine faith, love and service to God. As a whole they had distorted their relationship with Christ and turned it into a practice of self centered love. In essence they had turned their relationship with Jesus Christ into a self centered religious practice. In 1 Corinthians 13 Paul challenges their distorted spiritual practice by addressing love as the central standard measurement for believers in Jesus Christ. This passage highlights what is wrong in the Corinthians spiritual practice (1-3), and what is actually the display of true love (4-7). The distinguishing characteristic of love within the believer is progress in Christlike maturity (8-12). We are immature and can never measure up to Christ’s standard of love, but there is progress over the course of our spiritual life. We are called to be followers of Christ and follow His example (1 Peter 1:13-16). Love is to be the substance of our actions because Christ loved us first (1 John 1:19). This passage is simple, yet so deep and confronting. If we are honest it is difficult to love and be loving. Yet, our belief in Christ the Savior who loves us changes us and connects us with His body the church so we can become people who serve with His love. Christ and His display of love for us is the standard measurement for our love and service. That is a hard job, but one that is attainable through His grace and strength.
For More See 1 CORINTHIANS
“I don’t like my job!” Have you ever said that. There is part of every job that is unpleasant. Most jobs are tolerable, some are terrible, while many jobs are terrific. Yet within every job there is often one component that is unpleasant and therefore we often avoid doing it. Simply avoiding the task does not remove our responsibility to complete it and therefore complete our job. The same is true when it comes to living the christian life. The church of Corinth was having a problem exercising genuine faith, love and service to God. As a whole they had distorted their relationship with Christ and turned it into a practice of self centered love. In essence they had turned their relationship with Jesus Christ into a self centered religious practice. In 1 Corinthians 13 Paul challenges their distorted spiritual practice by addressing love as the central standard measurement for believers in Jesus Christ. This passage highlights what is wrong in the Corinthians spiritual practice (1-3), and what is actually the display of true love (4-7). The distinguishing characteristic of love within the believer is progress in Christlike maturity (8-12). We are immature and can never measure up to Christ’s standard of love, but there is progress over the course of our spiritual life. We are called to be followers of Christ and follow His example (1 Peter 1:13-16). Love is to be the substance of our actions because Christ loved us first (1 John 1:19). This passage is simple, yet so deep and confronting. If we are honest it is difficult to love and be loving. Yet, our belief in Christ the Savior who loves us changes us and connects us with His body the church so we can become people who serve with His love. Christ and His display of love for us is the standard measurement for our love and service. That is a hard job, but one that is attainable through His grace and strength.
For More See 1 CORINTHIANS
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