First Corinthians 13 is one of those Bible passages many Christ-followers know by heart and all others recognize easily. From music to movies, we’ve all heard, read, and recited these powerful words. When it comes to living the love chapter out in real life, it gets messy. Or, at least it does at my house.
First century Christians were no different from us today when it comes to living out love in a sin-filled world. Paul’s letter to the church at Corinth was written to give clarity to what it means to love God’s way. In stark contrast to God’s definition were the religious lifestyles of the populace of Corinth who worshipped at numerous temples, the chief being to the goddess Aphrodite. Believers were confronted daily with a city filled with people who called temple prostitution love. We are not much different today, living in a world that elevates and in some cases seeks to justify s**ual immorality as acceptable to God.
Corinthian believers were also no different from us in how they dealt with one another. There were arguments, offenses, boasting, envy, anger, and trying to one-up the next person. Through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, Paul laid it all out to the Corinthians and you and I today. God’s love never fails. Our attempts at love outside of Him always fail. The issues of the heart have to be dealt with — the Corinthians had to and we do today.
How can an unbelieving world understand the magnitude of God’s love if we love no differently than they do? As I said earlier, living out love at my house gets messy. I fail. My prayer as a wife and mother is to live out God’s definition of love.
This month Mentoring Moments’ theme is Love @ Full Strength in Christ. As believers we are filled with the power of the Holy Spirit. He is alive and living within us! Are you filled and growing in God’s love? Join us this month as the writers share personal testimonies, devotions, and insight into the love of God actively working in our lives.
If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal.
If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing. Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. ~1 Corinthians 13:1-8a
Anchoring Deep in God’s Word Schedule today, 02/03/14: Exodus 17-19 and Psalm 10-12.
Join hosts Page and Cindy on Facebook where we are discussing today’s reading. Everyone is invited to join by clicking the ‘Join Group’ button. We have 700+ women reading the Bible through in 2014! Join us and invite your friends too! We are using the Ownit35 whole Bible plan. Download the free app or print out the reading schedule to use with your Bible.
About Kellie Renfroe
Kellie and her husband Greg have been married 32 years and have four children ranging in age from 17 to 28. She co-founded Mentoring Moments for Christian Women in 2005. Kellie is a homeschooling mom who enjoys reading, studying the Bible, writing, photography, and learning how to cook.
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