BC - Day 328

Reading:  1 Corinthians 13-16


And now these three things remain:  faith, hope, and love.  But the greatest of these is love.  1 Corinthians 13:13


Footnote:  In morally corrupt Corinth, love had become a mixed-up term with little meaning.  Today people are still confused about love.  Love is the greatest of all human qualities, and it is an attribute of God himself (1 John 4:8).  Love involves unselfish service to others:  to show it gives evidence that you care.  Faith is the foundation and content of God's message; hope is the attitude and focus; love is the action.  When faith and hope are in line, you are free to love completely because you understand how God loves.


If there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised.  And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith.  More than that, we are then found to be false witnesses about God, for we have testified about God that he raised Christ from the dead.  But he did not raise him if in fact the dead are not raised.  For if the dead are not raised, then Christ has not been raised either.  And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins.  Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ are lost.  If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are to be pitied more than all men.  1 Corinthians 13:13-18


Footnote:  The resurrection of Christ is the center of the Christian faith.  Because Christ rose from the dead as he promised, we know that what he said is true -- he is God.  Because he rose, we have certainty that our sins are forgiven.  Because he rose, he lives and represents us to God.  Because he rose and defeated death, we know we will also be raised.


If anyone does not love the Lord -- a curse be on him.  Come, O Lord!  1 Corinthians 16:22


Footnote:  The Lord Jesus Christ is coming back to earth again.  To Paul, this was a glad hope, the very best he could look forward to.  He was not afraid of seeing Christ -- he could hardly wait!  Do you share Paul's eager anticipation?  Those who love Christ are looking forward to that wonderful time of his return (Titus 2:13).  To those who did not love the Lord, however, Paul says, let them be cursed.


JUST KEEP READING.........

All footnotes in italics taken from Life Application Study Bible, New International Version.