The Importance of Love
Over the past few weeks we studied 1 Corinthians 13. One thing that we saw in this passage is that we are citizens of a Kingdom that will, eternally, be characterized by love. It will not be characterized by spiritual gifts. As important as the gifts are for this present age, they will not last eternally. So, we must grow in love. Ciampa and Rosner quote NT Wright in their commentary on 1 Corinthians when they write,the church must be working in the present on the things that will last into God’s future. Faith, hope, and love will do this; prophecy, tongues and knowledge, so highly prized by Corinth, will not. They are merely signposts to the future; when you arrive, you no longer need signposts. Love, however, is not just a signpost. It is a foretaste of the ultimate reality. Love is not merely the Christian duty; it is the Christian destiny. (pg. 652).
Don’t stop using the spiritual gifts God gave
you (see 1 Cor. 14:1), and be sure you never lose sight of love. Make it your prayer and aim to grow in love.
Love is patient - the capacity to be wronged and not retaliate[1] or bear up under provocation without complaint. In relationships in a fallen world we will be wronged. True love isn't most clearly demonstrated at a nice romantic dinner, rather it comes out in how you live in the everyday experiences of frustration and being wronged. Will you respond with patience which is a fruit of love?
Growing in Love
Take these characteristics of 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 and pray through them. Find ways you evidence a lack of love. Praise God where you see love.Love is patient - the capacity to be wronged and not retaliate[1] or bear up under provocation without complaint. In relationships in a fallen world we will be wronged. True love isn't most clearly demonstrated at a nice romantic dinner, rather it comes out in how you live in the everyday experiences of frustration and being wronged. Will you respond with patience which is a fruit of love?
Love is kind- merciful- when I see someone
struggling or even sinning against me I respond with mercy.
Love does not envy- Envy is to have
intense negative feelings over another’s achievements or success.[2]
Love helps me get out of the business of building my kingdom and into building God’s. This frees me to rejoice with others when they are blessed instead of envying them. How do you respond when those around you receive a blessing? Do you think about how it never works out for you? Or, do you rejoice with them?
Love helps me get out of the business of building my kingdom and into building God’s. This frees me to rejoice with others when they are blessed instead of envying them. How do you respond when those around you receive a blessing? Do you think about how it never works out for you? Or, do you rejoice with them?
Love does not boast- to heap praise on yourself.
Do most of your conversations revolve around you? This may be a form of boasting, even if it is the problems you are facing. Focusing on "me" is anti-love. Thinking my accomplishments or problems are greater than yours is boasting.
Do most of your conversations revolve around you? This may be a form of boasting, even if it is the problems you are facing. Focusing on "me" is anti-love. Thinking my accomplishments or problems are greater than yours is boasting.
Love is not arrogant - thinking highly of yourself, puffed
up.
When someone corrects you, do often get defensive? Why? Could it be that you are thinking you are too good to make a mistake or sin? This is not love, but pride.
When someone corrects you, do often get defensive? Why? Could it be that you are thinking you are too good to make a mistake or sin? This is not love, but pride.
Love is not rude- that is, it keeps
me from behaving disgracefully.
In tough circumstances I can respond gracefully instead of letting frustration rise up and result in rude words or nonverbal communication. Do I give people cold shoulder when they upset me? Rude also entails inappropriate speech and actions. Do I speak or act in ways that are unbecoming of a follower of Christ?
In tough circumstances I can respond gracefully instead of letting frustration rise up and result in rude words or nonverbal communication. Do I give people cold shoulder when they upset me? Rude also entails inappropriate speech and actions. Do I speak or act in ways that are unbecoming of a follower of Christ?
Love does not insist on its own way
Love makes me willing to lay my desires or preferences aside. Do I always try to get others to do what I want (go to eat where I want, do things the way I do them)?
Love makes me willing to lay my desires or preferences aside. Do I always try to get others to do what I want (go to eat where I want, do things the way I do them)?
Love is not irritable- Love is not easily provoked to wrath.
When someone fails to follow through love keeps me from welling up with anger. Love desires to see that person change, but it is for their good and God’s glory. When I stop seeing relationships as redemptive and start seeing them as something to make my life easier or more enjoyable, then I will want people to change to fit the rules of my kingdom, and I will be irritated when they don’t.
When someone fails to follow through love keeps me from welling up with anger. Love desires to see that person change, but it is for their good and God’s glory. When I stop seeing relationships as redemptive and start seeing them as something to make my life easier or more enjoyable, then I will want people to change to fit the rules of my kingdom, and I will be irritated when they don’t.
Love is not resentful. Love doesn't keep score of wrongdoing.
I won’t bring up past unless it is for the other person’s good. My true aim in bringing up the past is only to help them, not to use it as against them ammunition.
I won’t bring up past unless it is for the other person’s good. My true aim in bringing up the past is only to help them, not to use it as against them ammunition.
Love does
not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth.
This isn't the world’s version of love where I sit by silently in the face of falsehood or unrighteousness. True love upholds God’s truth. It doesn't rejoice when someone does something wrong. Love doesn't rejoice in wrongdoing by gossiping or telling others about a person’s failure/sin either.
This isn't the world’s version of love where I sit by silently in the face of falsehood or unrighteousness. True love upholds God’s truth. It doesn't rejoice when someone does something wrong. Love doesn't rejoice in wrongdoing by gossiping or telling others about a person’s failure/sin either.
Love
bears all things, believes all things,
hopes all things, endures - Love “remains steadfast in the face of unpleasant circumstances”[3]
Think of Paul with Corinthians. He was enduring in the face of unpleasant circumstances in their church. He endured with them because he knew that God would not give up on those who are truly Christian. God is at work in them, forming Christ in them. Love can endure because God is at work. Additionally, he responded to those that were not Christians with love because he knew that he once was in the same category as them.
Think of Paul with Corinthians. He was enduring in the face of unpleasant circumstances in their church. He endured with them because he knew that God would not give up on those who are truly Christian. God is at work in them, forming Christ in them. Love can endure because God is at work. Additionally, he responded to those that were not Christians with love because he knew that he once was in the same category as them.
No comments:
Post a Comment