To Acknowledge True Love

From: July 3 - 9, 2012

TOPIC: “To Acknowledge True Love” 1 Corinthians 13 The brothers who lived in Corinth had great problems, sins and faults. Paul wrote this message on behalf of God so that they would work and overcome all that. Just as this chapter of 1 Corinthians 13 is considered a treasure of wisdom and power, all the spiritual treasures that are written in the Bible were brought by God because of some local situation similar to this one. So, 1 Corinthians 13 was written so that the Corinthian Christians could reflect about their lives and consider what they had been called for. Human beings face great conflicts that drive them to react wrongfully, in a way which is not in Christ. They react according to what is in their inner self. How difficult it is! How can one live and react with sincerity? This is only possible if we love God and everyone else. If we live selfishly only for ourselves, we react contrary to what God has taught here in I Corinthians 13. Those who are selfish and do not love are always feeling offended for any reason; they feel rejected and that is why they protest for anything and everything acting foolishly like children. You see, when we love the other siblings we rest, we are at peace and we conserve the peace and the patience because of that love. We won’t be any greater because we speak in tongues, or dance or preach (1 Corinthians 13:1). We will be great when we’re able to LOVE! Otherwise, were like metal that resounds, like metals that collide making a loud noise. The same happens when without love, but with big words one tries to impress others. One can speak tongues that hold a message, but if there is not an interpretation of those tongues, nothing is being done for the edification of those who hear it. Therefore, what is so great? So love is the strength and the essence with which we’re able to transmit to others what comes from God. We could have the science (knowledge) and all the faith to move all circumstances to do good, but if we lack love it would do no good. If everything we do is for our own benefit, to satisfy our ego, to become great and not for the benefit and edification of the other members of the body of Christ, then we are lost, we have drifted away from the true path of Christ. We can see that many work only for themselves, only for their benefit day and night. They perform deeds and it seems as it is for the well-being of others, but the intention of what is spoken and done lacks of true love, because it has been for their own benefit and proper interest. Paul knew what love was. He came to acknowledge love in order to fulfill his ministry. To comply with his call and ministry he had left everything without seeking any reward. Contrary to these times, many who preach the gospel have to be given a reward, if not they do nothing. For everything we should and could do we are called to do it with a spirit of love. If Paul was simply trying to attract attention and seek a name among the people in his time, then his exhibition of virtue would be worthless. But, Paul, full of love said: "... whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ." (Philippians 3:7) That is the problem nowadays for those who seek a name to become great and for such reason their exhibition of virtue is worthless because in their lives is clearly the absence of love. The Corinthians were difficult people. They were impatient, they lived dissatisfied, they were envious, they were inflated with pride, selfish, indecorous; they lived indifferent to the feelings of others, suspicious, resentful and hypercritical. What a difficult picture! But, in spite of all of this, Paul writes to them. And in this way Paul presents to them, in contrast, the traits of the true love (I Corinthians 13: 4-7). He lets them know that love is patient, is suffered and is helpful. He explains that love bears a suffering without breaking down, that love supports with great resignation without the face crying out its suffering. Love is benign, kind, generous, sweet and sound. Love has no envy and does not care for what others have, it is very glad and satisfied with what it has, so it will never be capable of taking away what belongs to others. It isn’t boastful or

conceited. It realizes that everything it has is a gift from God and that there is nothing in mankind to be arrogant about. Love doesn’t do anything improper. It is not self-seeking and is polite and considerate. Love does not seek selfishly but rather is interested in what may be helpful to others. Love does not become irritated but rather is willing to tolerate contempt and insults. Love does not take into consideration the evil and for such reason does not hold hostility. There is no space for deception. It likes the truth, not the injustice. Everything here described by Paul applies to us just the same as for the Corinthians. If we love, we have to suffer. We should believe everything, that is to say we should always try to give the best interpretation to our situations and events. We should expect everything, expect the best result. We should tolerate persecutions and mistreatment. We must love and love! The advantage is that love never expires, never ceases to be. And that’s how we will be, IF WE LOVE! Amen.