I Corinthians 13: 11-13
"When I was a child I used to speak as a child, think as a child, reason as a child; when I became a man, I did away with such childish things. For now we see in mirror dimly, but then face to face; now I know in part, but then I shall know fully just as I also have been fully known. But now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love." I COR 13:11-13
A while ago, I had the privilege of studying this scripture with Sara during discipleship. She had asked me to study this passage beforehand, but I struggled with it because I lacked understanding. So, she sat with me and asked me questions until everything came into place.
Before that night, I was confused as to why Paul writes this of his childhood in the same chapter that he describes the excellence of love? And why he would say that love is greater than faith and hope? They seemed to be equally important virtues of the Christian walk....
SARA: Sarah, tell me what faith is.
ME: it is believing in things not seen.
SARA: yes, and it is also the assurance of things hoped for. OK. What is hope?
ME: hope is a longing or anticipation for something.
SARA: but what is your hope?
ME: ummm... i guess that my ultimate hope is to be in the presence of God....
When she asks me about love, I am ready to answer that it is too complex to define... but then I remember the beginning of the chapter- and instead I respond that love is patient, kind, it bears all things, believes and hopes in all things... it is not rude or self-seeking or easily angered....
Here is where everything falls into place: Paul writes of two different time frames- when he was a child and his [then] present state as man. Also, he compares our time now to when we will meet Jesus face to face and everything will be perfect. When we meet the Lord, everything will be revealed. Hope and faith won't always be hope and faith, because they are FULFILLED in heaven. However, love will always remain the same because it is eternal!!!!
Faith and hope are crucial in living by the Kingdom of God- but they are UNSEEN. Love is SEEN because it is expressed through action. Love should be our focus! Our God is a God of love. We are called not only to love Him, but everyone around us as well. This is how people will recognize the joy that dwells in all believers through Jesus Christ....
A while ago, I had the privilege of studying this scripture with Sara during discipleship. She had asked me to study this passage beforehand, but I struggled with it because I lacked understanding. So, she sat with me and asked me questions until everything came into place.
Before that night, I was confused as to why Paul writes this of his childhood in the same chapter that he describes the excellence of love? And why he would say that love is greater than faith and hope? They seemed to be equally important virtues of the Christian walk....
SARA: Sarah, tell me what faith is.
ME: it is believing in things not seen.
SARA: yes, and it is also the assurance of things hoped for. OK. What is hope?
ME: hope is a longing or anticipation for something.
SARA: but what is your hope?
ME: ummm... i guess that my ultimate hope is to be in the presence of God....
When she asks me about love, I am ready to answer that it is too complex to define... but then I remember the beginning of the chapter- and instead I respond that love is patient, kind, it bears all things, believes and hopes in all things... it is not rude or self-seeking or easily angered....
Here is where everything falls into place: Paul writes of two different time frames- when he was a child and his [then] present state as man. Also, he compares our time now to when we will meet Jesus face to face and everything will be perfect. When we meet the Lord, everything will be revealed. Hope and faith won't always be hope and faith, because they are FULFILLED in heaven. However, love will always remain the same because it is eternal!!!!
Faith and hope are crucial in living by the Kingdom of God- but they are UNSEEN. Love is SEEN because it is expressed through action. Love should be our focus! Our God is a God of love. We are called not only to love Him, but everyone around us as well. This is how people will recognize the joy that dwells in all believers through Jesus Christ....
posted by sarah braica @ 12/14/2004
2 Comments:
At 3:53 PM,
Anonymous said…
hey sarah its me dan... I took a class this semester about Morals and the structure was faith, hope and love. Right now currently I am writing a paper on Love based on the bible and the writings of Kierkegaard so i just HAD to comment haha.. it is pretty interesting what you noticed about love never ending but the other to being fullfiled in heaven..never thought about that so thanks for posting it up on here... another thing that my teacher (even though he is secular) said is that without love faith and hope are not possible. By secular definition faith is a deep trust in a person or cause and hope is an expectation for the future based on that trust. So without faith there is no hope, but also without love there can be no faith. Like you said love is the only force capable of being selfless, kind etc. and is the only force that can prepare a human being for a trusting relationship or faith. Anyhow i thought it was so interesting to see that love is a trait inherited by all Christians and non Christians. anyhow i should get back to writing my paper blah
At 9:10 PM,
Anonymous said…
heeeeeey, its me!!! Sarah, i cant tell you how touched and inspired i am EVERY TIME i read your entries. I mean, even when i'm having a down day, i read your posts and it just turns my world upside down! Everything suddenly seems sunny and chipper. Thank you so much for the huge impact you have on my life, daily. I cant tell you how much it means to me.
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