1 Corinthians 13:11-13 When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child, but when I became a man, I put away childish things. For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known. And now abideth, faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.
1 Corinthians, Chap.13 is probably Bruh Paul’s most renowned and quoted bit of writing, where he talks about LOVE; the way it truly works and it’s tremendous power. Today we’re dealing with the last three verses. First off, he acknowledges that when he was a child, he behaved like one, but when he became a man, he put away childish things. That passage basically refers to Vs.8, where he claims, ‘Charity (LOVE) never faileth:’ But prophecies, tongues and knowledge shall disappear, because those things were only the childlike accoutrements of the new faith, being used to partially reveal the Word. But when the full story was told, when adulthood was reached, those things would no longer be necessary. The Biblical Scholars figured this occurred by the end of the apostolic age, when the New testament was completed. Those words also imply personal growth, a sense of maturity, whether as an adult human being, or growing in the Christian faith. I want to use it as an analogy for the latter. In the early stages of our walk of faith, like young toddlers, we’re unsure of where we’re at and where we’re going, and so take childlike steps, ‘teeter tottering’ and usually looking for handholds to support us. ‘For now we see through a glass darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.’ We don’t understand all that we read or hear. The whole scripture stuff is somewhat confusing. But like obedient children, we plod along, learning and growing in the faith by praying, studying and having fellowship with others. And as we grow in knowledge and understand what it means to be a follower of Christ, our confidence increases, until we can walk on our own, with strong, sturdy steps, no longer needing handholds. That means we’ve matured, and cease thinking of the faith in simple, childish terms. The looking glass is no longer dim and murky, but bright and shiny. We can see clearly now. But Friends, just as maturity in everyday life doesn’t mean we know everything, the same applies to our spiritual life. Not because we’ve grown in the faith and understand it, means we can now rest on our laurels. In fact, that’s when we need to escalate our efforts to spread it. We also need to keep praying, studying and fellowshipping. Just as children grow up to be adults then start working and being productive, we also need to become productive; disseminate the Word while living a life that genuinely reflects it. That’s our avowed purpose. Friends, let’s remember, it’s vitally important that the way we live matches up with the Word we teach. Else we’re just making a mockery of the faith. As Bruh Paul put it, there are three basic parts to our walk: Hope of salvation at the end; Faith, sure belief in salvation, that grows as we grow, and Charity, or LOVE, that we show in our walk of faith. But the greatest of these is LOVE! Yes Friends, for God is LOVE! And obedience to Him, means both talking and walking LOVE! Let’s go out and do that nuh. Much LOVE!…faith is first childlike…then…with proper grooming…blossoms to productive maturity…
1 Corinthians, Chap.13 is probably Bruh Paul’s most renowned and quoted bit of writing, where he talks about LOVE; the way it truly works and it’s tremendous power. Today we’re dealing with the last three verses. First off, he acknowledges that when he was a child, he behaved like one, but when he became a man, he put away childish things. That passage basically refers to Vs.8, where he claims, ‘Charity (LOVE) never faileth:’ But prophecies, tongues and knowledge shall disappear, because those things were only the childlike accoutrements of the new faith, being used to partially reveal the Word. But when the full story was told, when adulthood was reached, those things would no longer be necessary. The Biblical Scholars figured this occurred by the end of the apostolic age, when the New testament was completed. Those words also imply personal growth, a sense of maturity, whether as an adult human being, or growing in the Christian faith. I want to use it as an analogy for the latter. In the early stages of our walk of faith, like young toddlers, we’re unsure of where we’re at and where we’re going, and so take childlike steps, ‘teeter tottering’ and usually looking for handholds to support us. ‘For now we see through a glass darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.’ We don’t understand all that we read or hear. The whole scripture stuff is somewhat confusing. But like obedient children, we plod along, learning and growing in the faith by praying, studying and having fellowship with others. And as we grow in knowledge and understand what it means to be a follower of Christ, our confidence increases, until we can walk on our own, with strong, sturdy steps, no longer needing handholds. That means we’ve matured, and cease thinking of the faith in simple, childish terms. The looking glass is no longer dim and murky, but bright and shiny. We can see clearly now. But Friends, just as maturity in everyday life doesn’t mean we know everything, the same applies to our spiritual life. Not because we’ve grown in the faith and understand it, means we can now rest on our laurels. In fact, that’s when we need to escalate our efforts to spread it. We also need to keep praying, studying and fellowshipping. Just as children grow up to be adults then start working and being productive, we also need to become productive; disseminate the Word while living a life that genuinely reflects it. That’s our avowed purpose. Friends, let’s remember, it’s vitally important that the way we live matches up with the Word we teach. Else we’re just making a mockery of the faith. As Bruh Paul put it, there are three basic parts to our walk: Hope of salvation at the end; Faith, sure belief in salvation, that grows as we grow, and Charity, or LOVE, that we show in our walk of faith. But the greatest of these is LOVE! Yes Friends, for God is LOVE! And obedience to Him, means both talking and walking LOVE! Let’s go out and do that nuh. Much LOVE!…faith is first childlike…then…with proper grooming…blossoms to productive maturity…
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