Love in the Church

​1 Corinthians 13 is known as the love chapter. One of the most frequently used passages in weddings, this chapter is often used in the context of romantic or familial relationships. But as we mentioned last time, the correct application of this passage is actually for interpersonal relationships with members of the church. Understanding this appropriate context gives this passage a whole new layer of meaning.

​In romantic and family relationships, unconditional love and genuine care for one another is somewhat expected and standard. However, in the larger church community, conflict, tension, and division is the norm and, sadly, the expectation. But that’s not how God wants the church to operate. On the contrary! Paul’s letter to the Corinthians gives a convicting profile of what true love should look like in the church and how it should play out in our interactions with fellow believers.
 
While these words can often lose their weight due to familiarity, take a moment and slowly read this passage in light of the believers God has put in your life and your church family dynamics.

“Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth.  Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.  Love never ends. As for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away.”
~1 Corinthians 13:4-8

​Who’s the most annoying person in your church? Who gets on your nerves? Which person makes you frustrated with how they do things? Or who’s chatter or tendency to interrupt conversations drive you crazy? In your mind, pull up all these individuals and then apply 1 Corinthians 13 to these people.
 
Love is patient and kind even to the guy who does things in a way that drive you up a wall. Love is not rude or irritable to the woman who interrupts your conversations and never stops talking. Love bears all things and doesn’t keep track of small annoyances. Love never ends. It is constant, unconditional, and freely given.
 
Putting love in this context gives 1 Corinthians 13 a whole new level of meaning, doesn’t it? It’s one thing to strive to show this perfect love to family members and those we choose to love, but it’s even more difficult to work on applying this selflessness to those outside our immediate circle. But this is the kind of love God calls us to share with one another in the Body of Christ. Agape, the unconditional love that is fleshed out here in 1 Corinthians 13, must be shown to everyone. Period.
 
This is an important and timely lesson for us as we live in a polarized era. Even within the church, people stand of opposite sides of issues and topics and strong opinions abound. However, in the midst of these differences, can we love? Can we love as Jesus called us to? Can we bring unity to the church by our unconditional, self-sacrificing love and care for one another? Can we put the love chapter into action?
 
I believe we can. God gave us 1 Corinthians 13 as the more excellent way for believers to interact with one another. It’s not just a portrait of love to be shown to family members or in a marriage; it’s the kind of love the church ought to have for one another. Therefore, let’s commit to strive towards excellence in this area and seek to love our brothers and sisters in Christ as God commanded us.