1 Corinthians is an interesting letter written by Paul. He was previously known as Saul, who was a persecutor of the early church. I’m sure we all know of his marvelous conversion found in Acts 9.
On the off chance you don’t, God met with Paul on the road to Damascus. As he walked along, a sudden light flashed all around him, causing him to be blind. God then sent to him a man named Ananias, a disciple, telling him to join in prayer with Saul.
Saul was so cruel to the people of God that Ananias was wary, but God's response is beautiful as He says; “Go! This man is my chosen instrument to proclaim my name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel” (Acts 9:15).
How incredible that God would choose even the worst of this world to be a vessel of goodness and proclaim the gospel of Jesus! It isn’t until Acts 13 that Saul is named Paul.
After his conversion, Paul goes on to write many letters making up more than half of the New Testament writings.
For someone who was so against Christianity, that is an incredible turnaround in his life. You could literally say he was a “new creation,” to use his own words noted in 2 Corinthians 5:17.
1 Corinthians is one of the works of Paul, written around AD 57. This letter was compiled and sent to the church in Corinth, but also to the worldwide church, as is stated in 1 Corinthians 1:2.
This book holds incredible information, Paul's aim seems to be to teach the church, and in it, Paul deals with several problems arising in the church. Problems such as division, immorality, selfishness, the abuse of the Lord’s Supper, spiritual gifts, love, etc.
It is incredible to think that these problems were alive and festering in the early church. Rather than turning a blind eye to them, Paul, likely from Ephesus, writes this letter and challenges the church head-on reminding them of the truth of the gospel.
Within Paul’s writings, we see a collection of chapters looking at spiritual gifts (1 Corinthians 11-14). These verses on love, 1 Corinthians 13, are snuggled in the middle of these chapters, and it is here that we read the words: “it [love] keeps no record of wrongs.”
But How Do These Words Fit and What Do They Mean?
Kenneth Bailey suggests in his book titled Paul through Mediterranean Eyes that the reason for this placement of love is that none of the problems the church in Corinth was dealing with could be solved without the love that forms the center of them.
Love is such a powerful word; it holds weight, even though we, as humans, are often caught using the term glibly. Love was what was missing in the Corinth church.
1 Corinthians 13 begins by telling us that speaking in tongues, giving to the poor, and having knowledge is nothing without love.
But then, verse 4 begins telling us all the positives of love, how it is kind, patient, and as if in a twist of events, Paul then outlines what love is not.
Love does not envy or boast and is not self-seeking, love is not easily angered, keeps no record of wrong, love does not delight in evil, but rejoices in truth.
I believe Paul is declaring loud and clear here that love is many things, but one of those is forgiveness.
What Is the Biblical Definition of Love?
Love does not hold on to past hurts, but love is a choice in our relationships with others. We choose to love others by being kind, being patient, putting others before ourselves, holding our tongue when it would be easier to bite back, and not keeping a record of the wrongdoings done by others.
Scripture goes on to say love does not delight in evil. What if Paul was calling us all, as the church, to a higher way of being? The church in Corinth had many a flaw yet was truly loved by the bridegroom.
I believe our churches today and Christians are in the same boat. We are flawed people, but Jesus, the Bridegroom, loves us deeply.
Two of our roles on this earth following our conversions are to make disciples of all nations (Matthew 28:50) and become more and more like Jesus.
Ephesians 5:1-2 tells us very plainly to be “imitators of God, to walk in love, as Christ loved us.” To walk in love is such a beautiful way of putting it across, but I also adore Colossians 3, which tells us “to forgive as the Lord forgave you… put on love.”
It is worded like we are placing a coat on our bodies. In the same way, we choose which sweater or coat and put it on, and we chose to love and put it on.
I know for sure there was nothing about me that was worth dying for, but Jesus chose to anyways because He could see what He created me to be. He knew the plans and purposes for my life even in exile (Jeremiah 29:11).
He knew an unwed pregnancy could not stop the plans He had for me when I confessed, asked for forgiveness, and gave those situations to Him.
Jesus knew my failings, my weakness, and my stubbornness could not stop God the Father from loving me, but rather they could be used for His glory as He shone in my weaknesses and used my quirks to honor Him (1 Corinthians 12:9).
Just as God chose Paul, so He chose me. With that in mind, Jesus laid down His life in the place of mine and took on my sin to death on the cross (1 John 2:2).
But, friend, the same is true for you, in your sin, in the mess and baggage, in the messy Christian walk lacking consistency. Jesus loves you deeply! (John 15:9).
What if we were to accept that love like children who just believe and then bestow it lavishly onto others? What if we were to love the church, the world, our spouses, our children, our workmates, our bosses, and dare I say it, our in-laws, as Christ has loved the church?
Friend, how incredible could the world be if we forgave and laid down those grudges? If we put aside the annoyance and said, “Love keeps no record of wrong?”
Could your world be changed? Could you change someone else’s world by knocking the chip off your shoulder and freeing your soul of unnecessary baggage?
Psalm 103:8 tells us that “God is slow to anger and abounding in Love.” Abounding — the Latin for this word means run over. God is running over with love... how beautiful is that picture?
Like a waterfall with water pouring over the side with a never ended supply of water. Oh, church, if we are to see our lost loved ones saved, we need to be abounding in love. Overrun with love.
What Does This Mean?
I hope you have caught a glimpse of God’s heart for you in reading these words. God loves you, and that love is something that we can then put on and shower others in.
If you don’t know the depth of God’s love for you, I pray that while reading this, you would know the love of God deep in your soul!
If you don’t know of God’s love as yet, please connect with a local church. I know they would love to introduce you to Jesus!
For further reading:
How Does the Lord Love with an Everlasting Love?
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