1 Corinthians 13 - 10.9.26
Scripture: 1 Corinthians 13:4-7
4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
Observation
This is the famous Love chapter that is used at thousand of weddings, but the funny thing is that the Apostle Paul is writing to the Church of Corinth who are all into the spiritual gifts but without love they are nothing. There are four different translations of love used in the Bible, but he is talking about Agape love.
1. Eros was one word for love. It described, as we might guess from the word itself, erotic love. It refers to sexual love.
2. Storge was the second word for love. It refers to family love, the kind of love there is between a parent and child, or between family members in general.
3. Philia is the third word for love. It speaks of a brotherly friendship and affection. It is the love of deep friendship and partnership. It might be described as the highest love of which man, without God’s help, is capable of.
4. Agape is the fourth word for love. It is a love that loves without changing. It is a self-giving love that gives without demanding or expecting repayment. It is love so great that it can be given to the unlovable or unappealing. It is love that loves even when it is rejected. Agape love gives and loves because it wants to; it does not demand or expect repayment from the love given. It gives because it loves; it does not love in order to receive.
Application
Agape love is self-denial for the sake of another. The Christian life is about sacrifice, but without love it is nothing. Love is an action word. Love is serving others without expecting anything in return. Love is simple acts of kindness, being tender hearted and gentle towards others. Love is long suffering and kind. Love is okay when others are preferred before them. Love does not need the limelight or prideful looking for glory. Love isn’t arrogant, self-focused, rude, easily irritated or annoyed. Love puts away the hurts of the past and looks to the future.
Could you imagine married couples who made this a priority in their marriage? You would have Christian marriages that were strong and vibrant. Power Couples making a difference in their families and this world.
Could you imagine Christians actually making Agape love a priority in their lives? Excited about serving others and making a difference in other people’s lives? Looking for ways to be kind even when someone does not deserve it?
Love is an ACTION word. What are you doing to show Agape love to your family, friends, co-workers and people you meet on the street?
Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things…
Love never fails. (1 Corinthians 13:7, NKJV)
Prayer
Dear Lord,
Thank you for how much you love us and how you shower us with good gifts. Help us to be a people that put others before ourselves. Open our eyes to see the lost and hurting and show them Agape love. Help us to be Christians that walk in your ways and shine forth your love.
- Michelle Craig
