Daily Devotion for May 8, 2024

 

Devotion:

For an audio version of this devotion, click here.

Read 1 Corinthians 13.

This chapter is certainly foundational to what it means to believe in Jesus Christ and live the way he taught us. Previously in chapter 12, Paul is teaching on the spiritual gifts in the life of the church and what it all means to be the body of Christ. This newly formed Christian church in Corinth has everything it needs to be a perfect church. It has a diversity of gifts given by the Holy Spirit, and it has a diversity of people. Paul has been teaching them that each gift is important, and each person is important, but, if they don’t have the way of Christ’s love among them, the church will not endure to the end. The last sentence of I Corinthians 12 says, “And now I will show you a more excellent way.”

The Greek word for love in I Corinthians 13 is “agape” which is selfless, sacrificial and unconditional love. In verses 4-7, we are given the foundational truths of the characteristics of love. “Love is patient, and kind. Love does not: envy or boast. Love is not: proud, rude, self-seeking, nor easily angered. Love keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices in the truth. Love always protects, trusts, hopes, and perseveres. This way of love is Christ’s way.

I Corinthians 13 is often read at weddings because it is one of the best descriptions of love ever written. Today, let us glean even greater insights for this high calling of Christ’s way of love for the people of the world. The Apostle Paul was calling the church at Corinth to have Christ’s way of love for each other so that the people of the world would know the ways of Christ’s love, too. Without love there would have been emptiness to all the good deeds the church was trying to accomplish.

Personal Worship Option:

Loving God, through the Holy Spirit, teach and help us follow your ways of love so that the world may know the depths of your love for all people. Amen.