March 28, 2013
A noisy resounding gong, or a crashing clanging cymbal. That is what we are if we don't have charity (Christian love) for our fellow man. We can have all sorts of gifts; we can attain great knowledge; we can possess great faith; but without charity for others—it is worth nothing. We can do outward "good" things by giving to the poor and even offering of ourselves as a way to boast, but again, it is worth nothing without charity for others from a pure heart.
Charity (love) is: patient; kind; not jealous (wants the best for others and is genuinely happy for the accomplishments of others); does not brag (lifts others up, not self); is not proud (is humble); is not rude (is considerate); is not selfish (is giving); does not get upset with others (is patient and understanding); does not count up wrongs (is forgiving); is not happy with evil (rejoices with truth); patiently accepts all things (does not need to assert authority or be in control); it always trusts (is not suspicious); always hopes (thinks the best); always remains strong (does not give up); never ending (is everlasting). Everything else will end, but love remains. We see dimly now but there will come a day when we shall see clearly. Now we see only a part, but then we will fully understand.
A noisy, irritating bell. A clashing cymbal! Fingernails on a chalkboard. All descriptions of someone who doesn't have charity (love) verses the beautiful description of someone who does have charity. I want to be known as someone who is gentle, kind, forgiving, etc.
I Corinthians 13:13 - "So these three things continue forever: faith, hope, and love. And the greatest of these is love."
Next Entry: I Corinthians 14:1–40
A noisy resounding gong, or a crashing clanging cymbal. That is what we are if we don't have charity (Christian love) for our fellow man. We can have all sorts of gifts; we can attain great knowledge; we can possess great faith; but without charity for others—it is worth nothing. We can do outward "good" things by giving to the poor and even offering of ourselves as a way to boast, but again, it is worth nothing without charity for others from a pure heart.
Charity (love) is: patient; kind; not jealous (wants the best for others and is genuinely happy for the accomplishments of others); does not brag (lifts others up, not self); is not proud (is humble); is not rude (is considerate); is not selfish (is giving); does not get upset with others (is patient and understanding); does not count up wrongs (is forgiving); is not happy with evil (rejoices with truth); patiently accepts all things (does not need to assert authority or be in control); it always trusts (is not suspicious); always hopes (thinks the best); always remains strong (does not give up); never ending (is everlasting). Everything else will end, but love remains. We see dimly now but there will come a day when we shall see clearly. Now we see only a part, but then we will fully understand.
A noisy, irritating bell. A clashing cymbal! Fingernails on a chalkboard. All descriptions of someone who doesn't have charity (love) verses the beautiful description of someone who does have charity. I want to be known as someone who is gentle, kind, forgiving, etc.
I Corinthians 13:13 - "So these three things continue forever: faith, hope, and love. And the greatest of these is love."
Next Entry: I Corinthians 14:1–40
No comments:
Post a Comment