Mmmm Vietnamese Beef Pho with fresh chilli & mint Mmmm

In Australia, we have amazing, authentic Asian food!

But that’s not the only food that is mouth-watering.

At Bible College this semester, I’m eating the delicious New Testament.

If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal.
If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.
If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing.

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.
It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.
Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.
It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
Love never fails…

1 Corinthians 13:1-8a

This famous passage about love is often quoted at Christian weddings.

I’ve even seen this plagiarised by marriage celebrants in secular weddings!

But the original context of this passage is quite different to modern day romance.

The author Paul was addressing a serious problem with his Corinthian church audience.

Church members were fighting over the spiritual gifts of tongues and prophecy.

This dispute was causing disunity and division in this young church.

Paul encouraged the Corinthians to exercise their gifts in a loving way.

Fast forward 2000 years to today.

This passage is still extremely relevant to churches and Christians everywhere.

We are not perfect and sometimes we have disagreements within our Christian family.

We are strongly encouraged to resolve our differences with love and forgiveness.

We are not to be like non-Christians who hold grudges, fight and even kill each other.

It’s OK to use this passage at weddings but it can be applied more widely in our community.

As Christians, we are known by the world for our brotherly love and care.

It is dishonouring to God if we fight and bring shame to his name.

Ultimately this passage points towards Jesus’ death on the cross for the sin of the world.

• Jesus is patient and kind.
• Jesus did not envy or boast or treat people rudely.
• Jesus sacrificed himself and if we trust in Him – he won’t keep a record of our sins.
• Jesus is sinless and is THE truth:  He is the only way to heaven.
• Jesus persevered through immense suffering on the cross to show love for his enemies.
• Jesus never fails.

Do you have the perfect loving relationship with your husband/wife/family?

Do you know anyone prepared to die in your place to show you love?

Who can forgive your sins and give you eternal life?

mmmm Bible mmmm

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