The Greatest of All Things is Love
1 Corinthians 13:1-13
Paul is continuing his letter to the Corinthian church and has entered a difficult topic: what is love? As we have been learning about the different aspects Paul is teaching the Corinthians, this topic on love seems to strike at the root of many issues the church was facing in its division crisis.
What is love? As we reflect this question, some words may come to mind: sacrifice, unity, understanding, commitment, etc. However, as we dive deeper into those definitions, we find that these are just manifestations of love, not love itself.
So how does the bible define love? The bible states that God is love (John 4:7-11) and that the love of God is in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:39). Therefore, we need Jesus to be present in our expressions of love.
Now what does Paul say about love? He starts by clarifying that all manifestations of our talents, actions, achievements are meaningless without love (1 Cor. 13:1-3). Thereby highlighting that our spiritual essence requires love, which inturn requires the love Jesus presents.
How can we love like Jesus? If we replace the word “love” with “Jesus” (and again with “I”) in 1 Cor. 13: 4-7, then we can see the character we need to achieve in order to express true love. Developing this character is a key takeaway from this passage and prevents future issues, like division, from arising.
Truly, we are only able to express love because God had loved us first. We need to make the distinction that it is not ourselves who give love, but to outpour the love of Jesus within us, who have received Jesus. Without Jesus, our acts of love really are expressions of either self-love or self-righteousness.
Reflection:
Upon hearing this sermon, I thought about the various people I have interacted with in my life. I saw myself love people for my own righteousness, withhold love due to my judgment, and give proper love to some like God had instructed. I thank God that as I have continued my walk with Him, He has been faithful to shape me to love others more like Jesus would rather than how I would. Yet, I do not currently give love to everyone, as Christ has to me; I just properly express love more now then I did five years ago or ten years ago.
Even with this progress, this topic on love has made me think about barriers I face in my current spiritual walk. Why was I having difficulty connecting or reaching out to my VIPs, not seeking fellowship with certain people, or struggling with certain temptations? It all came down to how the focus was ultimately on me; how I wanted to be glorified when speaking to VIPs, how the people I hang out with would glorify me, or how I seek to fall into temptation in order to satisfy myself. There is no Jesus in those moments; there is no love.
I pray for forgiveness of my foolishness and to repent from my ways. I pray that I can restore the bonds I have burned with others due to my selfishness. I ask God to equip me in this trial. I pray that I can change. I pray that I will serve, connect, love, and live life with the Spirit of God overwhelming in and out of me.
Reflection Questions:
How did the message impact you today? Were there a collection of people who you first thought of when mentioning who you love or don’t love?
Have you ever expressed love like Jesus has (1 Cor. 13:4-7)? What steps can you take to improve the aspects of love you are lacking?
Come up with one question you’d like to ask your house church related to the sermon.
