If I Corinthians 13 were written today, what would Paul have used as his examples? Just imagining:
If I study my Bible every day and have private devotions, but have not love, I am nothing. If I tithe to the church, and support good charities, but have not love, I gain nothing. If I pray day and night, and join the choir, and worship every time the church opens her doors, but have not love, it is nothing. If I teach Sunday school, and serve as a church officer, but have not love, I gain nothing.
Love is patient and kind, not jealous or boastful or proud. It is not rude or self-seeking or touchy [easily angered]. It keeps no record of wrongs. It does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It endures all things, believes all things, hopes all things, perseveres through all things.
Love never fails. Where there are Bible studies or sermons, they will cease ... for now we know in part, but then we shall see face to face.
Three things remain: faith, hope, and love. And the greatest of these is love.
Some of the details would change based on church membership. Some might have
- If I abstain from drinking, smoking, and dancing, but have not love ...
- If I fast twice a week, but have not love ...
- If I pray the rosary but have not love ...
- If I observe the Sabbath, but have not love ...
Every group has its thing. Why isn't the thing
love?
3 comments:
Well said.
Thank you for the encouragement.
Take care & God bless
WF
Yes. An interesting way of putting 1 Corinthians 13, and a challenge to some of our churches.
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