1 Corinthians 13-15

     Now that baseball is in full swing, let me being by saying that I think Paul really hits some homeruns in these chapters.  Let me explain what struck me.

     Paul begins these chapters by speaking of love, which is worth speaking about because one of Jesus’ last instructions to us was to love one another as I have loved you.  This is probably why that when Paul introduces the topic he tells us that it is “the most excellent way”.  And I think the way that Paul talks about love is pretty sweet, that is he says "I could fathom all mysteries, and have faith that moves mountains, but if I do not have love it is worthless".  He can say all the nice and special things he wants, but without love it is meaningless.  Here he is striking at our intentions.  We can be sweet, externally nice people, but without a loving intention it is worthless.  And he goes on by explaining what love is, which leaves us no excuse.  Love is patient, kind, it does not envy or boast, it is not proud, rude, selfish, or tempered.  Love does not log records of wrongs, or delight in evil, but rejoices in truth.  Love does protect, trust, hope, and always perseveres.  So when Jesus says, “love one another”, this is how we do it.  It’s explained bluntly, no curve balls.

     Jumping to Ch15, Paul again bluntly addresses and spells out something central to the faith – “That Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, the he was buried, that he was raised on third day according to the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Peter, and then to the Twelve.”  For me one thing that encourages me in my faith is to zoom out and look at the whole story, Old and New Testament, which is kinda summarized here.  Paul reminds us that the Messiah came as he was foretold, died to pay the debt of our own mistakes, then rose again back to life, as was foretold, and revealed His risen body to both the 12 and to hundreds of others.  It is happening as we were told it would happen way before it actually happened.  

     “Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm.  Let nothing move you.  Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.”