July 13, 2023 | Be On Mission
Maturing Love
Scripture: 1 Corinthians 13(NIV)
1 If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. 3 If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.
4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
8 Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. 9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part, 10 but when completeness comes, what is in part disappears. 11 When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me. 12 For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.
13 And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.
Devotional
The love chapter. 1 Corinthians 13 is one of the most used passages at Christian weddings. And rightly so. What are the traits of love listed in verses 4-8, and how do they speak to a healthy marriage, a healthy family, and healthy relationships in general?
However, this chapter should not be read in a vacuum. 1 Corinthians 12 was about spiritual gifts, and 1 Corinthians 13 is about love. Take a look at how the first three verses of this chapter ties the two teachings together: “If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.”
Paul then returns to his metaphor of a child who matures into a man. What does it mean to spiritually put childish ways behind us? How is God calling you to grow in love?
Take a moment to compose a love letter to God. Thank Him for His love poured out in Jesus. Ask Him to make you more loving. Tell Him how much you love Him. Be creative! Then, read your letter out loud to the Lord as a love offering!
Poem
Love
Love, love, love, LOVE!
Word thrown around
Completely losing meaning
“I love my dog!”
“I love that scarf!”
“I love my favorite pizza!”
Today, love means--
Accept all things
No matter what is righteous
“My love allows”
“My love is love”
“I love whatever choices”
How hard to love
The way God calls
Exhorting us to truth
“Love disciplines”
“Love sharpens iron”
“Love dies for others sin”
This call to love
Says “Grow up now”
Put foolishness aside
“Don’t envy, boast”
“Hang in, though hard”
“Do not rejoice in sinning”
