Soul Rejoice: Thought for the Day

Monday, February 4, 2013

Thought for the Day - 1 Corinthians 13

I heard a wonderful sermon on this passage yesterday, and it made me reflect on this text in kind of a fresh way. I think most people know the the section of 1 Corinthians 13:4-7. It is the one that goes

Love is patient, love is kind and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant, does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered, does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

Let's play a game. This is a well-known way to interpret and apply this passage with a little spin.

Substitute "God" for "love." In 1 John 4 we are told several times that God is love. If these are characteristics of love, they are then also characteristics of God.

In Scripture we are called repeatedly into godliness. Now substitute your name for the word "love" in the passage. Paul tells us to imitate God and Christ, and moreover Christ commanded us to love one another.

In this earthly dwelling, we are seeking to strive to be righteous as God is righteous. A good way to check our progress as we strain to reach this goal is to work towards being able to substitute our names for the word "love" above and see how we match up.

2 comments:

Sharon SFebruary 4, 2013 at 7:03 PM
Tim,

Just wanted to let you know that I appreciated your post!

I prayed through this passage with my name a few years back. Let me just say...it was quite convicting and a major turning point in my relationship with my spouse, children and others.

My small group studied the opening verses of Colossians this evening and were driven to prayers of thankfulness for those who are holy and faithful and that they might continue to grow in wisdom and understanding of the grace and truth of God. I pray the same for you!

Take care,

Sharon

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Tim MillerFebruary 4, 2013 at 7:41 PM
Sharon,

I had always heard people talk about doing the substitution thing in this passage, and I had done that a few times. It was always convicting, but I don't think I fully comprehended the importance of it until the verses "...and God is love" went through my head. It was almost as if I had been zapped! Funny how some things seem like they should be obvious after the 'aha!' moment happens.

I hope to see you all soon. Praying for you always!
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Quotes

Stand over this volume [the Bible], and admire its authority. This is no common book. It is not the sayings of the sages of Greece; here are not the utterances of philosophers of past ages. If these words were written by a man, we might reject them; but O let me think the solemn thought, that this book is God’s handwriting– that these words are God’s! Let me look at its date; it is dated from the hills of heaven. Let me look at its letters; they flash glory on my eye. Let me read the chapters; they are big with meaning and mysteries unknown. Let me turn over the prophecies; they are pregnant with unthought- of wonders. Oh, book of books! And wast thou written by my God? Then will I bow before thee. Thou book of vast authority! thou art a proclamation from the Emperor of Heaven; far be it from me to exercise my reason in contradicting thee. Reason, thy place is to stand and find out what this volume means, not to tell what this book ought to say. - Charles Spurgeon

What is grace? That which is freely given. What is “freely given”? Given, not paid. If it was due, wages would be given, but grace would not be bestowed. But if it was really due, then you were good. But if, as is true, you were evil but believed on him who justifies the ungodly (What is, “who justifies the ungodly”? the ungodly is made righteous), consider what by right hung over you by the law and you have obtained by grace. But having obtained that grace by faith, you will be just by faith—”for the just lives by faith.” - Augustine

I believe that I cannot, by my own reason or strength, believe in Jesus Christ my Lord, or come to him. But the Holy Spirit has called me through the gospel, enlightened me by his gifts, and sanctified and preserved me in the true faith. In the same way, he calls, gathers, enlightens, and sanctifies the whole Christian Church on earth, and preserves it in union with Jesus Christ in the one true faith. In this Christian Church he daily and richly forgives all my sins, and the sins of all believers. And he will raise up me and all the dead at the last day, and he will grant eternal life to me and to all who believe in Christ. This is most certainly true. - Martin Luther

Our obligation to love, honor and obey any being is in proportion to his loveliness, honor and authority. Therefore, sin against God, being a violation of infinite obligations, must be a crime infinitely heinous and so deserving infinite punishment. If there is any evil in sin against God it is infinite evil. - Jonathan Edwards

Come thou, my reason, my intellect, sit thou down and listen, for these words are the words of God. I do not know how to enlarge on this thought. Oh! if you could ever remember that this Bible was actually and really written by God. Oh! if ye had been let into the secret chambers of heaven, if ye had beheld God grasping his pen and writing down these letters– then surely ye would respect them; but they are just as much God’s handwriting as if you had seen God write them. This Bible is a book of authority; it is an authorized book, for God has written it. Oh! tremble, lest any of you despise it; mark its authority, for it is the Word of God. - Charles Spurgeon

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Monday, February 4, 2013

Thought for the Day - 1 Corinthians 13

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