August 20
1 Corinthians 12:27-13:13
Gong! Clang! Is that our sound of love? According to I Corinthians 13:1 if we do not love others, we put out an obnoxious sound. Generally, we consider ourselves as loving people. After all, we probably have not heard gongs or clanging cymbals recently. But looking at Paul’s list of what love really is, do we really love?
Paul wants to show us the “most excellent way” to navigate through life (I Cor 12:31). “Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance” (I Cor 13:4-7, NLT). In ancient days bronze was used to make mirrors. Corinth was famous for having the best bronze in the Mediterranean world. However, even the best bronze produced an imperfect reflection. When I look into the mirror at my love for others, the image is distorted. What even concerns me more is “God knows me completely” (v. 12, NLT). He knows how I love. If we loved as described in this passage, what a striking example we would be to others. Love provides unity and will last forever. So, let us remember that we are part of the body of Christ and what the community around me needs is love.
Father, “Give me such love for God and men, as will blot out my hatred and bitterness” (Dietrich Bonhoffer). Amen.
How can you change your attempts to love so they better reflect the description in 1 Corinthians 13?
Gong! Clang! Is that our sound of love? According to I Corinthians 13:1 if we do not love others, we put out an obnoxious sound. Generally, we consider ourselves as loving people. After all, we probably have not heard gongs or clanging cymbals recently. But looking at Paul’s list of what love really is, do we really love?
Paul wants to show us the “most excellent way” to navigate through life (I Cor 12:31). “Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance” (I Cor 13:4-7, NLT). In ancient days bronze was used to make mirrors. Corinth was famous for having the best bronze in the Mediterranean world. However, even the best bronze produced an imperfect reflection. When I look into the mirror at my love for others, the image is distorted. What even concerns me more is “God knows me completely” (v. 12, NLT). He knows how I love. If we loved as described in this passage, what a striking example we would be to others. Love provides unity and will last forever. So, let us remember that we are part of the body of Christ and what the community around me needs is love.
Father, “Give me such love for God and men, as will blot out my hatred and bitterness” (Dietrich Bonhoffer). Amen.
How can you change your attempts to love so they better reflect the description in 1 Corinthians 13?
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