1 Corinthians 13

It should be simple, really, but in practice, it's not. At least, not for me.

Why is it so easy to integrate these verses into wedding ceremonies yet so difficult to integrated them into my daily life? How often can I honestly say I love as described in these thirteen verses?

I've heard numerous messages on these verses, I've read the chapter numerous times, and still, it doesn't always sink in how vital it is love properly. Not in a merely romantic sense, but in an unconditional sense.

Am I patient? Sometimes—not often enough? Though I have no reason to, I catch myself exhibiting arrogance from time to time. What I'm saying is that if verses 4 through 7 were a checklist (they're not), I don't know that I'd be able to check anything off.

Love never fails (v.8), though "when the perfect comes" (v.10), the partial (prophecy, tongues, etc.) will be done away with. Of all the gifts, love outlasts them all. It is the "more excellent way" (12:31) we exercise the gifts God has given us.

God knows I leave a lot to be desired when it comes to living out the definition Paul gives us in this chapter. In some ways, I still act like a child (not in an endearing sense) when I should have matured. Have I managed to do away with childish things (v.11)?

I'm looking forward to the say when I see "face to face" rather than dimly, when I will "know fully," just as Christ has known me (v.12).

"Love never fails"

—1 Cor 13:8a

1 Corinthians 12

Though there are different spiritual gifts, there is only one God who dispenses them, and they all work together: each has its place, its purpose. We don't get to choose which gifts we're given: that's up to the Holy Spirit (v11).

God spread all of these gifts among the body for specific purposes. Paul talks about "body parts" deciding they're not part of the body because they think their function is lesser than that of some other part; he makes it clear, for example, that just because a foot isn't a hand, it's no less a part of the whole (v15).

Likewise, parts that "think" their function is somehow more valuable than another are incorrect, too: without all parts of the body, all you have is pieces.

As Christ's body, we're all essential: we all have a role, a function. And we have different roles—and that's a good thing! I'm reminded of the phrase "two left-feet" regarding someone who dances poorly. Parts—and people—attempting to perform roles or claim gifts not befitting them only undermine the body as a whole.

There is a hierarchy of gifts (v28), but that doesn't mean that the "bottom drawer" gifts are any less necessary than others.

What is my gift (or gifts)? How am I using them? Am I envious of those with gifts I don't have? Why? Do I think God "made a mistake" when He blessed me with a gift in the first place? For example, I wish sharing the gospel came more readily to me. I wish I knew how to better dig in to the Bible with a mind to really study, Strong's numbers and lexicons at the ready. Some of these things probably aren't necessarily "gifts" so much as me lacking the necessary discipline. I guess it all comes down to this: I want to be whom God has called me to be; I want to do what He's laid out for me to do.