Our scripture this morning is 1 Corinthians 16:13-14.
Be on guard. Stand firm in the faith. Be courageous. Be strong. And do everything with love.
Paul, who usually had more than enough words for every situation, is uncharacteristically brief in this passage, but completely to the point. The Corinthian church has suffered disagreement and division and Paul writes to warn them about their behavior and their reaction to the behavior of others. Perhaps this sounds familiar?
It is sometimes pleasing to find that we have much in common with our ancestors in the faith. Sadly, this is not such an instance. We still argue with each other over issues instead of working to solve them. James 3:10 scolds first century Christians “And so blessing and cursing come pouring out of the same mouth. Surely, my brothers and sisters, this is not right!” and two thousand years later we suffer from the same lack of compassion for those with whom we disagree.
While we can write this off to normal human behavior in heated situations, Jesus came to teach us that this is not normal human behavior and we can do better. Paul tells us eloquently about love in Corinthians 13. Here he speaks very directly: “do everything in love.” It doesn’t get any more simple or specific than that.
Heavenly Father, we are often mired in our own earthly problems, more focused on ourselves and things around us than Your love and Your guidance for us. Forgive us, strengthen us and send us to share Your blessings with all our brothers and sisters. Amen.
