1 Corinthians 13:1-8
One thing that is being highlighted in this season for me is how to love like Jesus. As children of the Lord, we must get this right. Imagine a ministry without love at its core? Imagine a church without love at its core? Who would that ministry and church be for? If we have no love, then whatever we claim to do for the Lord would be meaningless!
In the passage highlighted above, the Corinthian Christians missed the motive and the goal of the gifts they had, making them their own goal. Paul draws the attention back to love — agape love. We can read this chapter and think that Paul is saying that if we are unfriendly or if we walk around with a screwface, then our lives mean nothing. But agape isn’t really about friendliness & having a pleasant face; it is self-denial for the sake of another! Just like Jesus did for you and me — He laid down his life!
Agape is a love that loves without changing. It is a self-giving love that gives without demanding or expecting repayment. It is love so great that it can be given to the unlovable or unappealing. It is love that loves even when it is rejected. Agape love gives and loves because it wants to; it does not demand or expect repayment from the love given. It gives because it loves; it does not love in order to receive. Agape is a sacrificial, giving, absorbing kind of love. It has little to do with emotion and much to do with self-denial for the sake of another.
Is your love ever-changing or does it remain the same, in the good times and bad? Are you self giving, without demanding or expecting a repayment? Do you show love to people who you consider unlovable or unappealing? Do you love even when and after you are rejected? Is the kind of love that you give sacrificial, giving and absorbing? Ask yourself these questions. What would your answer be? My answer would definitely be no! I have so much to work on!
God is calling us higher! And even if you think you have it all together, God is still calling you higher! All that we do, our ministries, the giving away of clothes, the buying of food for the poor, those are not the best measures of someone’s true spiritual credentials. Love is the best measure! Even if they are done willingly, without love, it profits us nothing!
How do we know if we are loving like Christ? True love is always demonstrated by action. Here’s your checklist: “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonour others, 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 hope, always perseveres. Love never fails.”
Each thing described in 1 Corinthians 13:1-3 is a good thing. Tongues, prophecy, knowledge, faith, and sacrifices are good. But love is so valuable, so important, that apart from it, every other good thing is useless.
My fellow sister in Christ, I put this question to you. Are you a charitable person? Are you walking in the way of love? Use the checklist given in 1 Corinthians 13:1-8 to find out.
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Angelisa is a Jesus enthusiast, Worship leader & Christian youth leader. She considers herself to be the old-fashioned type of girl who loves spicy food and belly bottom laughter. Among her passions are singing, working with children, and encouraging others.