The last chapter in today's reading is what many refer to as the "Love Chapter". It has been read at countless weddings, and rightly so. If all marriages embraced the attitudes set forth in the chapter, there were be far fewer divorces, fights and unhappy husbands and wives. However, chapter 13 takes on a whole new light when linked with chapter 12.
In chapter 12 Paul is reminding the church at Corinth about spiritual gifts and how each member of the body of Christ has a unique and individual service/gift to offer. The last verse of chapter 12 is "And now I will show you the most excellent way." When chapter 13 is linked to chapter 12 through the last part of verse 31, we see that Paul was admonishing Christians to treat other believers in this manner. Chapter 13 covers a much wider range of people that just husband and wife.
Do we have time for the fellow Sunday School class member who needs to talk about the struggles he/she is going through--for the FIFTH time. (13:4 Love is patient.) How do we react when a coworker gets a promotion we were hoping to get. (13:4 It [love] does not envy.) What about when our boss is short with us for the 5th time that week? (13:5 It [love] keeps no record of wrong.)
Applying the love principles may be more challenging outside of the home, but think about the transforming effect we could have on the world if we made a conscious effort to live out chapter 13 not just in our homes but also in the workplace and church pews.
What are your thoughts on today's passage?
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