Today as I got out my pocket New Testament at work to read the next chapter of 1 Corinthians, I noticed it was chapter 13, the love chapter. (did hear my Barry White impersonation?) The verses found in this chapter have been used in more weddings than the Drive-In Chapel in Las Vegas. I read through it once and thought, alright I kind of just breezed through that half-heartedly. I am convinced that the Apostle Paul considered love to be of the utmost importance as you will notice in the first three verses. In those verses he states that you can basically have everything together as a religious person, but if you don’t have love, like the abandoned plow above, you are of no use. Then an idea hit me. I remember a pastor or a friend, or maybe both, suggesting that when you read through this chapter read it in the real first person narrative formatting the love statements into personal questions.So consider the following verses personally as I did and see if doesn’t convict the religious snot right out of you. Do it as such for verses 4 thru 7 : (I use the ESV)
Is BarryDean patient and kind? Does BarryDean envy or boast? Is BarryDean arrogant or rude? Does BarryDean insist on his own way? Is BarryDean irritable or resentful? Does BarryDean rejoice at wrong doing or rejoice at the truth? Does BarryDean bear all things, believe all things, hope all things, endure all things?
After reading it this way I realize that I have a long journey ahead in my sanctification. Thanks be to God that it isn’t all up to me, I have a Helper in this process. The same Holy Spirit that convicts also intercedes for us and is sanctifying us.
Upon This Rawk 