As we study Scripture we discover lessons on many different parts of life. We learn about love, grace, and justice. We are told to forgive, to be holy, and to strive for peace with those around us. 1 Corinthians 13 is well-known for centering on the theme of love, but there is another theme layered with the first one. As believers are filled with love, both for the Lord and for each other, they become more and more connected with others who love the Lord. This leads to the blessing of Christian relationships and community. Let’s take a look at 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 and examine how these verses apply to fellowship with believers.
Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast. It is not arrogant or rude; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not delight in wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends.
First of all, let’s look at the negatives of the passage. What is love not for Christians?
It is hard to be patient with others, especially in the world we live in today. As time seems to race by and we get caught up in the whir of activity it is often easier to focus on what we have to do rather than how we can serve others. And because we do not take the time to listen and act, our community of believers suffers from neglect.
What about kindness? Sometimes people in our community wrong us; sometimes we may take the wrongs too personally, but at other times our hurt may be justified. Or maybe we simply become annoyed with how others act toward us. At those times we can get caught up in the heat of the moment and say things that do not honor the Lord or lift others up.
Our motives also affect our communities. Because our actions flow from our hearts, the way we treat others is a reflection of who we are inside. They can show love, but they can also show envy, anger, and bitterness toward others. Even if we can cover our motives the deepest parts of our hearts are still known to the Lord. And our motives can bring honor or dishonor to God just as our words can.
Struggling with pride is a part of being a sinful human. We push others aside as we fight for first place in the things we value most. We hold our chins up, preferring ourselves above others as pride hardens us to their needs and desires. We speak loudly about our achievements and victories and talk very little about our failures. But when we hear about the failings of others we do little to encourage them and often do more damage than good.
How have you seen these things play out in your own life? And, more importantly, what parts of your life do you need to ask the Lord to work on and change in you? Examining yourself can be hard, but God’s Word is the standard by which we should measure our lives. We must pursue a life that is defined by love, not to earn the favor of God but to honor and love Him with all we are (Mark 12:30).
So, now that we have looked at what love is not, how can we walk in love in the community of Christ-followers?
You may have to sacrifice personal time and goals. You may have to pause an activity or task to focus on others. But I know that turning to help and be patient with others is a reward in itself. When you stop to listen to a sibling tell a story you get to share in their lives. When you hold the door for an older lady you get to slow down for a moment no matter where you need to be. When you take the time to prepare a meal, plan a worship session, or help a family with their young children, you show the patience of love to other believers.
Responding in love to someone who has hurt us is one of the most challenging things we can do. We want to release the mean words, the hurtful comments, the stinging remarks. But when we respond graciously, forgiving the wrongs in our hearts, we are showing love in ways others may never see or understand. The private, inner battles to love are the ones that grow character, and the victories we achieve show our reliance on Christ’s love and strength.
It is hard, but also very worth the cost, to examine our motives for loving others. It is almost impossible to love others only because of what they can do for us. But when we come back to the Author of love, we find that He loves us without expecting anything in return. And because God loved us first, we are instructed to love others with the same free, unconditional love (1 John 4:19).
When we put ourselves first pride can destroy relationships and bring discouragement instead of hope. It divides us from others, and when we are separated we are vulnerable to attacks from the enemy. But when we step up beside our fellow believers and let humility govern our actions we find that we are strengthened instead of weakened. We grow our connections and bonds with other Christians, and that leads to blessings for the entire community.
As we close, remember these last verses of the passage: Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends.
Building a community is difficult. Even harder is building one that lasts. But if we remember to walk humbly, patiently, and with kindness toward fellow believers we are able to put their needs before our own. We become a part of something greater, doing good in the family of God. And when we go out of our way to bless others, we are also blessed ourselves.
May we serve our fellow Christians in love as we remember the love of Christ!
Written by NBB Alumna: Rachael English
