Love 2

1 Corinthians 13:6-7

It can feel good to be right in life. So often in a relationship disagreements can arise and it is very tempting to desire that your opinion or approach is right and will be proven right. You may find yourself hoping that the other person will have their plans or approach fail so that your way will be proven right.

But if we truly love another, then that love will override that desire and instead we will look for harmony and hope for those things that are beneficial to both partners in the relationship.

The most notable comment and description of love comes from Paul’s first letter to the church in Corinth. The thirteenth chapter is called the “Love Chapter.” What does he say about love? What does love always do?

Any relationship is going to have its ups and downs, its times of complete happiness as well as those times of disagreement and dispute. Yet, in those low times, when two people may be at odds with one another, if there is love the bad times are easier to endure.

Even in times of disagreement and dispute, if there is love, then both people will not delight in the misfortunes of the other. Rather, those who love want what is best for the other and will join in the sorrow of their companion when evil exists or bad things happen. The delight of love is in the truth, in what is right. And in the truth we may find happiness.

Love also does many things. It always protects. Those who love another will want to keep the other from experiencing hurt and harm. They will want good things for the one loved.

Love always trusts. Those in love exist in the confidence that the one loved wants what is best for both of them and is as committed to the relationship as the other person.

Love always hopes and perseveres. Love is that driving force that keeps us optimistic, that works toward a happy outcome, and that compels us forward in anticipation of ultimate goodness, security and happiness. Love is that controlling emotion that secures a relationship of mutual goodness and care, seeking what is best and beneficial for those who are in love.

DAILY CHALLENGE: What can you do to live out what is described by Paul?

Patient in Faith 1

Psalm 37:7

Many years ago I went bear hunting at a small camp in a remote area of Canada. Although I never did even see a bear, let alone bag one, I got some valuable lessons from the experience. Bear hunting requires a great deal of control – sitting on a small perch in a tree for four to six hours, staying alert the whole time without speaking or going to the restroom.

We talk about how we trust God and how we can rely on God, but it is difficult to put our faith into real action. We watch the news and get aggravated at what is not happening to help the desperate people of Haiti. We watch what happens in our own government and feel angry that there is not more honesty, that more good work is not being done. Other issues in our lives and around the world upset us. And we forget that we are called to be patient in faith.

What does the psalmist advise? What should we NOT do?

The writer of Psalm 37 tells us to be still before the Lord. We are to call on our own self-control, our own trust, enough that we can calm our minds and our restless spirit. This is how we achieve stillness.

We are to wait for the Lord. We are to be aware that God has His own timetable and moves in His own ways, ways we do not understand. Our fretting and our worry need to be set aside, quieted. In their place we must put our own peace and trust.

Although we do not agree with what is happening around us, we must trust in God and wait for Him to guide. Although we do not understand the ways of the Lord, we must trust in God and wait for Him to move.

Some may feel that being still before the Lord is simple – you just give up hopes and desires and thoughts. But in fact, being still before the Lord requires more than just giving up caring about things. Being still before the Lord is more than inactivity. To be still before the Lord requires that we exercise control over ourselves, that we remain alert for God’s direction, and that we remain ready to step in where God leads.

DAILY CHALLENGE: What can you do to find the stillness your faith needs?

Teach One Another 4

Colossians 3:15-17

Teaching another person to do the things that you are skilled at doing can be quite frustrating sometimes. There are many times where I have gotten irritated with a learner because they don’t seem to grasp the ideas that I know so well. Likewise, I have been the difficult learner, unable to understand or remember what I was taught, causing frustration and flare-ups of tempers in those who are teaching.

But as Christians we need to have patience in our instruction and teaching. We are to allow peace to rule in our hearts because we are of the family of God. We are brothers and sisters of Jesus, and he is the Prince of Peace.

Paul offers some guidance in teaching in this passage. What two things are instructed in verse 15? What will guide us in our teaching, according to verse 16? How are we to go about teaching?

Teaching faith involves so much more than reading from the Bible or examining Biblical commentaries. To teach faith we must live as examples of that faith. Being a true example of what it means to believe and trust in the Lord is perhaps the best and most effective way to lead others.

But those who are new to the faith and those who may be struggling with their own place in the kingdom of God may frustrate those who are trying to teach about God. It may seem difficult to accept that others are not in the same place spiritually that we are in. But we cannot allow our own frustration, and indeed our own motivation and selfish ambitions, to be the controlling factors in our teaching.

We need to have the peace of Christ in us and we need to offer instruction in the name of the Lord. When that is the motivation and what controls our teaching, when the word of God has grown and developed within our own hearts, we can truly lead others into a strong faith with Christ.

As you lead others in the faith be certain that the word of Christ dwells richly in you, and allow the peace of Christ rule your instruction.

DAILY CHALLENGE: What can you do to be certain the word of Christ dwells richly in you?