Roger Kinion is senior pastor of Calvary Baptist Church in Greenfield.
You might find it interesting that I often use the same passage of Scripture for funerals and weddings.
1 Corinthians 13, “The Love Chapter,” will remind us of the love that our family member exhibited toward us in life. The same example of love is a challenge for a couple getting married to live out their lives properly “loving” one another.
However, we sometimes forget the warning in the beginning verses. “If we have not love we are nothing but a clanging cymbal” and have gained nothing.
This is a reminder that we are to live out our faith with love in our actions not just in our hearts. As we are filled with love from our creator and savior, Jesus Christ, it is our responsibility to show love to others.
One of the best ways to make sure we are fulfilling this obligation is to ask the question, “Are others receiving the love I am intending to give?” Way too often the reality is we fail to consider what the other person needs before giving them what we want them to have. It is like giving a pizza to a person who just finished the buffet. They may appreciate the attempt to show love, but there may have been a better way to communicate that love.
Another failed or less effective attempt is seen in the statement, “I know their heart is good.” This often is a reflection of the struggle to connect the outward deeds or language with the inner person. We need to be self-aware of how our good intentions come across to others.
The goal of 1 Corinthians 13 is to help us understand God’s definition of love so we can become successful in loving others, so they too can be fulfilled by God.
Verse 13 says that at the end of the day, when we get to Heaven only these three remain: Faith, Hope and Love. It should become our goal to establish and live out our faith in Jesus Christ. We should be motivated by the hope we have in Christ for eternal life in heaven and a Spirit-filled life in the flesh.
Finally, we should love others as God has loved us. God loved us when we were unlovable and has never given up on us. He continues to love us even when we fail him. God’s perfect love never fails us, and we should share this love daily with others!
This passage ends with the statement, “and the greatest of these is LOVE”! Another passage says, “Love covers a multitude of sins” (1 Peter 4:8). So let’s keep prioritizing loving others well by taking an opportunity today to show God’s love to the people in your life — and see if you are not the one with the greater blessing!
Roger Kinion is senior pastor of Calvary Baptist Church in Greenfield. This weekly column is written by local clergy members.
