“Love is patient and kind; love is not jealous or boastful; it is not arrogant or rude. Love does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrong, but rejoices in the right. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.” – I Corinthians 13:4-7
Every week at worship, one of the readings is from a part of the New Testament that provides us with insight and instruction on living a Christian life. The Apostle Paul wrote a great number of letters to the small groups of Christians who were trying to find their way on the path of this new, radical religion. As you read these letters, it appears one of the most difficult things for people to do was live responsibly, ethically, and morally without all the requirements of Jewish law telling them what to do and how to do it.
Jesus and his followers preached a Gospel of love, telling of a loving, forgiving God calling his children to lives of caring for one another. The new Christians needed some definitions, explanations, and help in understanding these teachings. These three verses from the letter to the church at Corinth go a long way in defining what love is and is not. I’ve read them many times, and it’s crossed my mind that it sounds like love means putting up with just about everything. But if you think a little more, consider how much strength it takes to continue to believe, to hope, to bear (and share) burdens, to endure all that comes your way. In fact, try reading this and substitute the word “strength” for “love” and see how you react.
Throughout the Bible, God is described as the source of love, as love itself, and whose love never fails or ends. With this strength/love showered upon us, we can be the people of God, sharing the Gospel in our daily lives and making a difference in the world around us.
“Be watchful, stand firm in your faith, be courageous, be strong. Let all that you do be done in love.” – I Corinthians 16:13-14
Your Friend in Christ,
Mary Rogers