“Let all that you do be done in love.” 1 Corinthians 16:14
September 13, 2023
It’s time to take a test. Mark true or false. Being loving in facing your problems means to: (1) Adopt a detached attitude toward others. (2) Be willing to make the necessary sacrifices for others. (3) Feel good about yourself. (4) Determine the needs of others. Numbers 2 and 4 are true. The Corinthian church had a love deficiency. They were taking the low road of self-centeredness. God’s way is the high road of love. It’s possible to know the Bible and live so that you don’t offend others and strike out when it comes to love. Authoritarianism is a relational cancer in a church. It happens when leaders claim control of their followers’ consciences. You have it in a family when parents direct or restrict their children unreasonably. What makes it particularly toxic is when it is exercised in the name of love. Paul makes it clear for us in this fifth appeal. It is the problem solving way of truth soaked in love. It takes responsibility by leading the way in serving, not by commanding and bullying. It creates an atmosphere of mutual respect. It garnishes church and family life by bringing rejoicing and refreshment to others. It is a disinfectant for self-deifying pride. Is this not what we should want in our day to day lives? You may want to post these (16:13-14) five better ways of doing things on your bathroom mirror.
H
“Lord, set my mind on what it means to make the sacrifices necessary for the benefit of others.”