Do Everything in Love

Scripture: “Do everything in love.”  1 Corinthians 16:14 NIV

Observation: Paul ends this letter to the Corinthians with the instruction to love.

Application: In closing the first letter to the Corinthians Paul gives what I believe to be the crux of Jesus’ message, love and love in all thing.  We are to love in all situations.  When our tax burden is light and when it is heavy; when our cars are running fine and when they are broke down.  We are to love others more than ourselves.  This doesn’t mean huggy-bear and kissy-face love.  It means hardcore, sometimes “tell-it-like-it-is” and it may hurt, love.  It’s doing for others more than ourselves, love.  It’s caring for other’s welfare even when they aren’t very lovable.  It means praying for our enemies, teaching our children in the ways of the Lord and providing for the needy in our area.  It’s giving of our spare time so that someone else can go have a relaxing time, or spending our time and talent ensuring our home church keeps running.  It’s conducting hospital and nursing home visits.  It’s serving on boards, sharing our years of pastoral wisdom with total strangers, or doing whatever is necessary to help fund that Missionary who shared their financial needs during last week’s service.  But most importantly–it’s doing any and all of this because you love Jesus and you want to make him smile.  “Do everything in love” and do it because you love the Lord.

Prayer: Father, thank you for all that you give to me and my family. Help me to always remember everything that you do for me because you love me. Help me to love others just like you love me. I ask this in Jesus’ name. Amen

Doug