I had the unfortunate pleasure of singing at a funeral today for a family friend. When I picked up a bulletin, I saw that one of the chosen Scripture passages was 1 Corinthians 13. This is most commonly known as the “wedding Scripture.” Listening to my pastor’s sermon during the funeral, however, it started to become evident to me that the type of love Paul is talking about here is not only one that should pertain to “marital bliss.” I think that it is even more so a testament to the love between God, through Christ, and His bride (the Church). Once we realize that, it seems perfectly normal that this type of Scripture be included in more than just wedding proceedings.
I’ve come up with a short list of the things I’ve been thinking about pertaining to this, and I’d love to hear your thoughts on these, as I’m making them the topic of my morning studies for the next few days or so:
- What would it take for you to turn a stranger into a friend?
- What kind of love is that? (Going through 1 Corinth. 13)
- Do you think that the recognition of God’s love is more, less, or equally as important when dealing with death as it is with marriage? (In other words, are there times when God’s love should be recognized more intently?)
- What separates abundant love from the love we experience?
- For those who are married, in what ways have you intentionally practiced the type of love found in Scripture?
- For those who are unmarried, what would this love look like for you?
I’d certainly appreciate your thoughts on this!
1 John 4:18 goes hand in hand with 1 Cor. 13 – If you truly love someone there will be no fear…without fear there will be no regrets. Marriage, death, life in general – all have application when it comes to love. God is Love, and whoever lives in Love lives in God and God in Him – we want to live in God…we must Love.
It’s not an emotion, tho…it’s a choice…I CHOOSE to love you.
These are some really good questions that are not easy to answer. I need to think about some of these a little more, but I will try to answer some of them now.
There are some people that after seeing them for the first time and depending on how they act, I could turn a stranger into a friend. I do not think I can do that with anyone.
The love described in 1 Corinthians is to me the most unconditional love but also the “most difficult” love to give. It is basically the perfect kind of love–which as humans can sometimes be difficult to do–to the degree described in this chapter in Corinthians.
I do not think that there are times that it should be recognized more intently, but I think that the only time it is “talked about” is when two people get married or when a person dies. This scripture should not be limited in a discussion or recited only when there is a marriage or death.
I do not have an answer for this question–it is pretty deep and I have to ponder on that.
Honestly, in a marriage, we should always show and receive the kind of love in 1 Corinthians. I think it is hard to remember and give this kind of love sometimes because we do not remember or even think of this beautiful verse.
thanks for the comments – keep ‘em coming!