August 2011
1 Corinthians 13:1-3 – Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.
1 Corinthians 13 is affectionately known in some circles as the ‘Love Chapter.’ Many people have come to describe the characteristics of love through 1 Corinthians 13:4-8. However, I believe it is just as important that we do not miss the importance of having love in our lives when compared to other gifts, abilities, etc. in the world.
In 1 Corinthians 12, Paul spoke to the Corinthians about the spiritual gifts and the unity of each gift, as they are given by the same Spirit. In closing this section, he stated that he would yet show them a more excellent way (1 Corinthians 12:31).
Across many churches today, people are fascinated with power given specific spiritual gifts. Like Paul exclaimed in 1 Corinthians 12:31, they too covet these gifts. We keep such individuals in high regards and places of authority and honor. However…
In the world of business, we are taught that the higher one attains in position, the least ‘hands-on’ or menial work they are to do. The manager no longer runs errands or buys the office lunch. They tell someone else to do it. They no longer have to drive around the parking lot, they have a designated spot of their own. They set deadlines, make decisions that affect policy and personnel, write checks, rate work performance, and gain greater respect among their peers.
However, in the midst of the ‘business’ of life, there are some lessons a disciple of Jesus can never forget:
John 13:1-16 – Now before the feast of the passover, when Jesus knew that his hour was come that he should depart out of this world unto the Father, having loved his own which were in the world, he loved them unto the end. And supper being ended, the devil having now put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, to betray him; Jesus knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he was come from God, and went to God; He riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments; and took a towel, and girded himself. After that he poureth water into a bason, and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded. Then cometh he to Simon Peter: and Peter saith unto him, Lord, dost thou wash my feet? Jesus answered and said unto him, What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter. Peter saith unto him, Thou shalt never wash my feet. Jesus answered him, If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me. Simon Peter saith unto him, Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head. Jesus saith to him, He that is washed needeth not save to wash his feet, but is clean every whit: and ye are clean, but not all. For he knew who should betray him; therefore said he, Ye are not all clean. So after he had washed their feet, and had taken his garments, and was set down again, he said unto them, Know ye what I have done to you? Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you. Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him.
Ecclesiastes 7:2 – It is better to go to the house of mourning, than to go to the house of feasting: for that is the end of all men; and the living will lay it to his heart.
When death comes to a family or friends, even those we hear about but didn’t know, thoughts of the condition of our own lives come into thought. We think about how short life may be and how we are living it. Though many of us want to be in a house of great joy and look for ways to please ourselves, death brings things into perspective.
Solomon states that the house of mourning (or at least death) is the end of all men. Those that are still living will lay ‘death’ to their heart. So what thoughts come to you when you are in a house of mourning?
1 Corinthians 3:9-11 – For we are labourers together with God: ye are God’s husbandry, ye are God’s building. According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon. For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.
When speaking to the Corinthians about their divisions (of following specific people), Paul wanted them to understand that they (the leaders) were all laborers together with God (1 Corinthians 3:3-8). He was given the grace of God to be a wise masterbuilder and have laid a foundation of Jesus Christ.
Ephesians 4:1-6 – I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; One Lord, one faith, one baptism, One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.
For many children, going to the local ice cream shop is exciting. The ice cream shop has several flavors (even 31) to choose from: Vanilla, Strawberry, Chocolate, Gold Medal Ribbon, Mint, Cookies and Cream, Old Fashioned Pecan, etc. The children rush into the store with their favorite flavor on their mind. Sometimes if there’s a new flavor, they may ask for a sample taste to see if they like it. If they like it, they want more of it on a cone or a cup. They may want a waffle cone instead or a sugar cone…maybe have it in a milkshake or part of a sundae. As each child selects something different, they don’t fight to ensure each of them have the same flavor and type (i.e. cone, shake). Each child is free to eat their flavor and when they leave, they each enjoy their flavor of ice cream together.
Hebrews 9:11-15 – But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building; Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us. For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh: How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance.
Under the Law of Moses, the high priest would present himself in the holiest of all to offer sacrifices for the sins of his own life and the people. This was a yearly requirement as there was no sacrifice of bulls and goats that could obtain eternal salvation for the people. Each year, another sacrifice was given…
In Jesus, He gave His life as a sacrifice for all humanity. One sacrifice. One sacrifice that would stand as an eternal redemption for us. There would be no need for us to continually be purged from sins year after year for Christ’s sacrifice would stand eternally on our behalf.
So, what does that mean for us?
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