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Corinthians 13:1-13
Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful,
and endures through every circumstance…. Love will last forever! (v. 7).
and endures through every circumstance…. Love will last forever! (v. 7).
Day after day, thousands of Jesus’ followers toil in foreign
lands to bring relief and the love of Christ to the severely afflicted and to
the poorest of the poor. Through the context of their work, many of these
labourers witness brutalities and suffering beyond human comprehension.
lands to bring relief and the love of Christ to the severely afflicted and to
the poorest of the poor. Through the context of their work, many of these
labourers witness brutalities and suffering beyond human comprehension.
In Africa, many people I meet are devoted to coming alongside
the “least of these” (Matthew 25:40). They tell me they were moved to action by
a pastor or speaker they heard, literature they read, or the lyrics of a song
that opened their hearts and minds to the struggles people around the world
face.
the “least of these” (Matthew 25:40). They tell me they were moved to action by
a pastor or speaker they heard, literature they read, or the lyrics of a song
that opened their hearts and minds to the struggles people around the world
face.
Upon entering the lands of the oppressed and the
impoverished, these labourers testify that they are sustained by private
devotion and corporate prayer. Worship music of deep spiritual truth also
inspires these compassionate men and women to press on in their efforts to
extend God’s justice and provisions to those who suffer. First Corinthians
13:7-8, however, beautifully describes the best motivation of all for serving
the needy – love. These verses aptly say, “Love never gives up, never loses
faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance…. Love will
last forever!”
impoverished, these labourers testify that they are sustained by private
devotion and corporate prayer. Worship music of deep spiritual truth also
inspires these compassionate men and women to press on in their efforts to
extend God’s justice and provisions to those who suffer. First Corinthians
13:7-8, however, beautifully describes the best motivation of all for serving
the needy – love. These verses aptly say, “Love never gives up, never loses
faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance…. Love will
last forever!”
It’s possible you have heard 1 Corinthians 13 applied only
to marriage. Today, consider how you might also apply this verse to loving the
destitute. For example, how might you:
to marriage. Today, consider how you might also apply this verse to loving the
destitute. For example, how might you:
· Protect someone who is experiencing a form of
abuse?
abuse?
· Trust God to meet your financial needs when you
continue to give generously to the poor?
continue to give generously to the poor?
· Display hope as you spend time with someone who
is suffering?
is suffering?
· Persevere in serving even when you’re feeling
weary?
weary?
· Show love – unfailingly, even to someone whom
you find difficult to like?
you find difficult to like?
Prayerfully consider how you might display these forms of
love to someone you encounter today. – Roxanne Robbins
love to someone you encounter today. – Roxanne Robbins
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Now let me show you a way of life that is best of all (1
Corinthians 12:31).
Corinthians 12:31).
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What will help you remember to pray more
frequently for people who need protection from oppressors? How can you show God’s
love to someone – friend or stranger – who is experiencing hardship?
