Notes of Faith July 23, 2025
Like Corinth or Like Christ?
Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong. Let all that you do be done with love.
1 Corinthians 16:13-14
Two of Paul’s longest letters were written to the church at Corinth. The length of these letters reflects the complex problems presented to Christians by the city of Corinth itself. It was a huge city of more than half a million inhabitants, a crossroads of trade and cultures, overflowing with pagan religious activity. One of the dozen temples in the city honored Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of love. It should come as no surprise that Paul dedicated an extensive treatise to true love in 1 Corinthians 13 in order to counter pagan perceptions of love.
In his concluding words to the Corinthians, he summarized all that he had written in his letter: “Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong.” And then he summarized that summary by saying, “Let all that you do be done with love.” That statement reflects his lengthy teaching in chapter 13 about the nature of true love where he said that nothing in the spiritual life has value unless it is accompanied by selfless, others-centered, Godlike love (verses 1-3).
Be aware of your actions today—are they Corinth-like or Christlike?
Love is the queen of all the Christian graces.
A.W. Pink
Before coming to faith in Jesus the Corinthians were surrounded with pagan gods and worshipped many of them. They even tried to add them to the worship of the One true God. Paul had much to teach them and to hold them accountable to the truth. Their understanding of love was not spiritual but from a fallen nature that was a false love and lusted, seeking only to satisfy self. That is not the love of God nor the teaching of God in His Word. 1 Corinthians chapter 13 teaches us that God’s love is pure and holy, never failing. Let us examine our hearts to be pure in love and seek to be holy as God is holy!
Pastor Dale