Living Room Study

1 Corinthians 13

“Love is patient; love is kind.  Love does not envy; is not boastful; is not conceited; does not act improperly; is not selfish; is not provoked; does not keep a record of wrongs; finds no joy in unrighteousness, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.  Love never ends.”    1 Corinthians 13: 4-8a

Whenever my wife and I lead music, we usually sing a song I wrote, called “Two Sets Of Joneses”. “Joneses” is a song about two young married couples, on the starting line of their relationships. One couple chooses to build their relationship on the sandy foundation of the world, while the others choose to build on the solid foundation offered by Jesus.

Severe difficulty befalls both couples, but only one couple was left standing in the end. Let’s just say, while the worldly alternative often looks more attractive at a glance, it cannot endure long-term strain.

One reason is because the world has redefined the term, “love”. In our culture, we use the word “love” in many different contexts. We say we love our moms, but we also love apple pie. We (heart) poodles & unicorns, and we love Jesus? So, what is LOVE, really?

Here, in 1 Corinthians 13, the apostle Paul lays out a picture of love, as God designed it.

It is sobering to reflect on what love actually is. Where Paul states, “Love is…”, I ask “Am I?”. Maybe it will help you to read this passage with that in mind:

Am I patient and kind? Do I envy? Am I boastful or conceited? Do I act improperly? Am I selfish or provoked? Do I keep a record of wrongs and find joy in unrighteousness? Do I rejoice in the truth, bear, believe, hope and endure all things? Does my love end?

The bible tells us “They will know we are followers of Messiah by the love that we have for one another.” How effective are you at loving as Jesus would? Does your testimony compel people to follow Him, or repel them from Him?

Now, let’s live-out today’s passage from the perspective of “I will be…”

Blessings.

Steve Wiggins