1 Corinthians 13 - 11.5.24

SCRIPTURE:  4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.  1 Corinthians 13:4 – 7

OBSERVATION: 

This is probably the most quoted Scripture used in weddings, on signage, and in many sermons. The word “love” in today’s usage can be about how we feel about a person, place, a time of year, a sports team, the food you eat, or anything else in life. Many of those are common topics but God’s love is much deeper. Paul wrote this Scripture to the Corinthian church for many reasons. One topic was the Corinthian church was placing value on certain acts and gifts being superior over others which then elevated certain people above others. Obviously this would create a lot of tension and disagreements. God directed Paul to write this Scripture as a way to put an end to all the bickering, disagreements, and lack of unity.

God’s message to us is based on love. God’s forgiveness is based on love. Jesus’ death and resurrection is based on love. The entire foundation of our Christian faith is love.

This weekend I had the honor of attending a memorial service for a beloved pastor. The running thread of his celebration of life was that “he loved” on everyone. He showed God’s love in a real and tangible way which had an immediate and long lasting impact on everyone he knew. This is God’s message: love one another.

“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” John 13:34-35

Remember, “We love because he first loved us.”  1 John 4:19

APPLICATION

The application of this scripture is simple: use God’s love as the basis for everything in life and how to treat others. There isn’t much more that can be said to elaborate on this Scripture because it covers every aspect and says it all in a plain and simple way.

1 Corinthians 13 begins with two action words: 

Love is patient

Love is kind

The Scripture then shows what love isn’t:

Not envy

Does not boast

Is not proud

Does not dishonor others

Not self-seeking

Not easily angered

Keeps no record of wrongs

The Scripture concludes with four actions that show what love “always” is:

Protects

Trusts

Hopes

Perseveres

PRAYER

Dear Lord, thank you for your love which is never ending, doesn’t change, and is the foundation of my faith. Help me to always reflect your love and show your love in everything I do and with everyone I encounter in life. In Jesus name! Amen.

- Mary Oberg