As I look at the topic of my message, what comes to mind is my favourite passage: 1 Corinthians 13:1-13 Paul’s message to the people of Corinth. The people of Corinth had a reputation of being unruly, hard-drinking, promiscuous people. Paul arrived, going over the message of good news, showing them how to live out this new life of salvation and holiness as a community of believers.
Paul left and went on to other towns, but word came that the people of Corinth had fallen back into their old ways. Paul returns. He doesn’t disown them as sister and brother Christians and doesn’t throw them out because of bad behaviour. He takes them by the hand and goes over the old ground, directing them in how to work all the glorious details of God’s saving love into their love for one another. Through Paul, God wants to teach us that though we may be spiritually gifted, theologically knowledgeable, financially affluent and remarkably talented, they count for little without love.
Love must be the first priority in our everyday lives. If we have wisdom faith and give all our possessions to the poor but do not have love, we gain nothing. Unless love is the motivation and guide to our behaviour, we will waste the gifts God has given us. Our gifts and talents are given to help us serve other people and build up families, churches and communities. Without love, our spiritual qualities, natural talents and religious passions are worthless. Love is patient, kind, does not envy or boast. It is not proud, rude or self-seeking, not easily angered and keeps no records of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Those are very powerful words. Sometimes we lack many of the properties of love. We are often guilty of pride rather than humility, impatience rather than patience, and morally wrong instead of good.
In truth, we all fall short of God’s standards except one person, that is. That one person who was and is love personified. That person is Jesus. When God’s Son walked on earth, he was humble, not proud. Generous, not envious. When Jesus healed the sick, he was being kind and compassionate, not selfish or mean. Christ was patient with his friends and enemies, never short-tempered or rude. And, above all, Jesus was not selfish when he laid down his life for us on the cross. He was love in action when he willingly paid the price for our wrongs. You see, Jesus was- and is- love personified. Love never fails. Love will remain for all eternity. We will enjoy the love of God and the love of God’s people. Love never ends. Our love and God’s love will last forever. God’s Blessings to all.
Submitted by Mary Anne Grand, Layperson from Raymore United Church
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Disclaimer: opinions expressed are those of the writer.
