This Sunday we continue our series called The Body of Christ: Learning & Re-Learning How to Be a Christian. We started at the beginning with the Baptism of Jesus, we explored our unity in God’s Holy Spirit, and we celebrated our diverse roles in the connected Body of Christ.
This week may hone in on our overall focus; this may be the “why” for us as people of The Way. The song suggests that “they’ll know we are Christians by our love.” A very different song asks, “what is love?” Is it romantic? Is it fraternal? Is it parental? Is it self-serving? Is it selfless? Should we love God? Should we love our neighbor?
The thirteenth chapter of Paul’s letter to the church in Corinth is likely the most familiar of all of his writings. Perhaps we might hear these words again in the light of the divine love of God in Jesus Christ.
1 Corinthians 13:1-13 (CEB)
1 If I speak in tongues of human beings and of angels but I don’t have love, I’m a clanging gong or a clashing cymbal. 2 If I have the gift of prophecy and I know all the mysteries and everything else, and if I have such complete faith that I can move mountains but I don’t have love, I’m nothing. 3 If I give away everything that I have and hand over my own body to feel good about what I’ve done but I don’t have love, I receive no benefit whatsoever.
4 Love is patient, love is kind, it isn’t jealous, it doesn’t brag, it isn’t arrogant, 5 it isn’t rude, it doesn’t seek its own advantage, it isn’t irritable, it doesn’t keep a record of complaints, 6 it isn’t happy with injustice, but it is happy with the truth.7 Love puts up with all things, trusts in all things, hopes for all things, endures all things.
8 Love never fails. As for prophecies, they will be brought to an end. As for tongues, they will stop. As for knowledge, it will be brought to an end. 9 We know in part and we prophesy in part; 10 but when the perfect comes, what is partial will be brought to an end. 11 When I was a child, I used to speak like a child, reason like a child, think like a child. But now that I have become a man, I’ve put an end to childish things. 12 Now we see a reflection in a mirror; then we will see face-to-face. Now I know partially, but then I will know completely in the same way that I have been completely known. 13 Now faith, hope, and love remain—these three things—and the greatest of these is love.
Consider these questions:
- When you think of the word “love,” how many meanings can you think of? Consider writing these all down and thinking about each one in the context of this scripture. Which of these meanings are easiest for you? Which are the most difficult?
- When do you usually hear 1 Corinthians 13 read? In light of the context of this passage (people in the church are arguing about gifts), is 1 Corinthians 13 fit for the place you hear it most? Why or why not?
- We often see love romanticized in movies and novels. Is this the same as how love is displayed by God and written about in 1 Corinthians 13? Is it different? How?
- How has God demonstrated love to the world? How has God shown love to you in your life?
- What makes love a “better way” (see 12:31)?
- What might it look like for you “put an end to childish ways” (13:11)?