By Laura Bazal
This weeks’ chapter had us start focusing various parts of
what Love does. On Monday, we talked
about the statement “Love is Kind.” Here
are a few take-aways from what we read:
- Each one of these statements in 1 Corinthians 13 is about love does, not what love is. While we see descriptions based on our use of English grammar, in the Greek, the phrasing is actually explaining verb-actions. Love, as Paul describes it, acts in kindness. Ryken tells us that “love is an action, not an affection.”
- Kindness is something that we are all familiar with. The word “kind” actually refers to a relationship between two people who have similar characteristics. The phrase “in kind” also reflects similarity (i.e. “The teacher treated his students with respect, and they treated him in kind.”). From that positive connotation comes the meaning of kindness as friendly, considerate, and generous; or, as it was originally known, loving and affectionate. Despite having this robust familiarity that anyone from any culture would have, the kindness of God is not one that we can naturally perform with our own heart and actions.
- Titus 3:4-7 was one of the key parts of scripture used to highlight what God’s kindness has done for us:
4 But
when the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared, 5 not
by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He
saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, 6 whom
He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 that
having been justified by His grace we should become heirs according to the hope
of eternal life.
This chapter is titled “Love that is Better than
Life.” It’s inspired by the KJV reading
of Ps. 63:3, which reads “Thy lovingkindness is better than life,” which
attempts to express the Old Testament idea of steadfastness and covenant love
and express it in the English language (37).
The greatest expression of kindness, therefore, is through the love and
mercy that was shown when Christ died a sinner’s death for our sakes. Ryken describes this kind of love as saving,
merciful, life-changing, and generous (38-39).
We were left with an exhortation to live out this kindness. C.S. Lewis is quoted, saying that God enables
us “to love what is not naturally lovable.”
We were then directed toward the story of the Good Samaritan, we see a man who
shows love and mercy on one of his enemies who has been beaten and left for
dead on the side of the road. He meets
his every need and ensures that he is cared for as he continues to heal.
What a picture of what Christ’s lovingkindness does for us –
meeting us where we need him most, showing us mercy in our incredibly low
state, and giving us the Holy Spirit as an ever-present source of help and strength! It’s such an inspiration to show God’s
kindness to others, being that he has shown that love time and again to us!
How has God shown you kindness?
When has it been hard, or easy, when you've needed to show kindness and mercy?
What does this show you about the nature of God?
Share your thoughts below!
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Would you like to share your thoughts on the chapters from this book? Have a story to share, thoughts about God, tips for seminary wives, or something else you'd like to contribute? Contact us at TWFCrowns@gmail.com and let us know!
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Would you like to share your thoughts on the chapters from this book? Have a story to share, thoughts about God, tips for seminary wives, or something else you'd like to contribute? Contact us at TWFCrowns@gmail.com and let us know!
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