Solid Foundation

Jesus’ Ministry
February 1, 2019

Scripture Reading: 1 Corinthians 13:1-13

Love is patient; love is kind; love is not envious or boastful or arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice in wrongdoing, but rejoices in the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. –1 Corinthians 13:5-7

We toss the word love around rather loosely to the extent that we may not take it as seriously as God intends. Paul in the above scripture breaks out love in desirable and undesirable behaviors. It would be an interesting project to try to intentionally practice what Paul preaches:

  • Practicing patience
  • Not envying
  • Not being boastful or arrogant or rude
  • Rejoicing in the truth
  • Bearing and enduring all things
  • Trusting in God
  • Keeping hope alive

Many of the non-loving behaviors are more representative of our lack of personal wholeness based in accepting fully that we are who we are and that we have much to contribute to the world without envying or boasting or being rude or arrogant.  Our foundation of wholeness is firmly secured in the love of God. We do not have to acquire outside supports. Freed by wholeness, we can love our neighbors or anyone else as we love and appreciate ourselves.

How firm a foundation, ye saints of the Lord,
Is laid for your faith in His excellent word!
What more can He say than to you He hath said—
To you who for refuge to Jesus have fled?

“Fear not, I am with thee, oh, be not dismayed,
For I am thy God, and will still give thee aid;
I’ll strengthen thee, help thee, and cause thee to stand,
Upheld by My gracious, omnipotent hand.

“When through the deep waters I call thee to go,
The rivers of sorrow shall not overflow;
For I will be with thee thy trouble to bless,
And sanctify to thee thy deepest distress*.

Prayer: Lord, keep our feet on your solid foundation so that we may love others as we love ourselves. Amen.

*First three verses of How Firm a Foundation, author unknown see at https://library.timelesstruths.org/music/How_Firm_a_Foundation/

All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights are reserved.