Devotion:
Read 1 Corinthians 13.
Paul’s letter to the church at Corinth is his response to a letter which we don’t have. (It’s like listening in on one side of a phone conversation). But many commentaries suggest that the purpose of Paul’s letter is to help the church at Corinth resolve their differences. In 1 Corinthians 1:10 Paul writes-….” be perfectly united in mind and thought.”
In the early Christian church there were converts from both the Jewish and Gentile traditions all within the same congregation! Paul is trying to help them to see how to get along and he writes these words defining “love”. The verse from I Corinthians 12:31 is the introduction. “Now eagerly desire the greater gifts, and yet I will show you a more excellent way.” Paul continues to describe the “more excellent way” which is love. With so much division and fear in our nation and around our globe, we need this scripture passage more than ever!
I’ve always loved Paul’s words: “Love is patient, kind, never fails,” etc. But in the last couple of weeks, I was reminded of how powerful the first three verses of this chapter are! A family member was a guest at a new church and no one greeted the family member! The Sunday school hour and worship service were perfect, but no one welcomed the guest! The words “re-sounding gong and clanging cymbal” came to mind. Paul says that all of our actions can be perfect, but if the motivation isn’t love, it is nothing!
Paul’s writings call us again to a more excellent way, motivated by love. Christ even called us to love our enemies! Is there someone that you and I need the Holy Spirit’s help to love?
Personal Worship Option:
Christ modeled this way of love for us. Read this passage and place Christ’s name where the word love is. Read this passage one more time and place your name where the word love is. Are there improvements to be made? Dear Lord, help me to strive for “Your more excellent way of love!” Amen.
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