November 3, 2024–Pastor Bill’s Reading Plan

November 3   1 Corinthians 13

This chapter is often used in weddings and is frequently known as the "love chapter".  There are two things that are very important when considering what Paul is talking about in regards to love.

1. Ministry must be done in love.  Paul was driven by love to continue on his mission to reach people for Christ.  Paul was able to endure a lot of things for the sake of others because he had a love and concern for the churches and the people he was ministering to in different areas.  Love keeps us going when things get difficult and it allows us to see people the way God wants us to see them.

2. Love is not based on a feeling as Paul describes it.  Love as a feeling may come and go.  Love as a feeling is very much dependent on the object of that love to keep it going.  Love as a choice and love as action is quite different.  It allows us to choose to be loving when people act in ways that are in many ways unlovable.  We cannot just love when we feel like it.  This is not just a matter of heart and following our feelings.  True love is when our head and our heart work together and when the feelings may not be there, but the actions of love remain.  It is how Jesus could say love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.  Is that what we feel like doing?  No.  But it is what we are called to do because our love for God overflows into choosing to love others.