WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 28
1 Corinthians 13:4-7
Matthew 20:28

“Charity seeketh not her own.”

WHAT IS LOVE? (VI)

“Charity seeketh not her own.” Love is not selfish but sacrificial. It will think of Christ first, others second and self last. An unselfish person will always think of what is best for the welfare of others.

Once again, the Corinthian Christians are the very examples that contradict such selflessness. Their selfish and careless behaviour became stumbling blocks to the brethren of weaker conscience. The selfish rich did not share their food with the poor during the love feasts. They also sued fellow believers over trivial issues instead of suffering wrong. The Corinthians’ conduct stood in contrast with our Lord’s. “Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many” (Matt 20:28). Paul himself, following in the footsteps of Christ, was willing to be a “servant unto all” (1 Cor 9:19) so that he might “by all means save some” (1 Cor 9:22). Are you willing to be a servant unto all like Christ and Paul?

Charity “is not easily provoked.” Here, it refers to one who is not easily agitated or upset when placed under severe emotional stress. Love is “a bridle to repress quarrels, and this follows from the first two statements. For where there is gentleness and forbearance, persons in that case do not, on a sudden, become angry, and are not easily stirred up to disputes and contests” (Calvin).

We see this aspect being demonstrated in Paul’s life during his first imprisonment. Those who were jealous of Paul had begun to preach passionately thinking that now was their time to take over from Paul and add affliction to his bonds. Paul responded: “What then? notwithstanding, every way, whether in pretence, or in truth, Christ is preached; and I therein do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice” (Phil 1:18). He was not one that was easily provoked.

THOUGHT: The Christian must give his life to serve others.
PRAYER: Father, help me to be selfless in my conduct.