Today’s devotion comes from 1 Corinthians 16:10-14.
“Now if Timothy comes, see that he is with you without cause to be afraid, for he is doing the Lord’s work, as I also am. So let no one despise him. But send him on his way in peace, so that he may come to me; for I expect him with the brethren.
But concerning Apollos our brother, I encouraged him greatly to come to you with the brethren; and it was not at all his desire to come now, but he will come when he has opportunity.
Be on the alert, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. Let all that you do be done in love.” 1 Corinthians 16:10-14.
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In today’s Scripture, we see examples of love.
But, instead of relying on our own images of love, let us first remember how Scripture defines love.
“Love is patient, love is kind and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant, does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered, does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.” 1 Corinthians 13:4-7.
“There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves punishment, and the one who fears is not perfected in love.” 1 John 4:18.
In verse 10, when we love, then we will not fear. We will be like Timothy “without cause to be afraid” for we are doing the Lord’s work.
In verse 11, when we love, then we will not be jealous of others and will not despise others. We will allow others to go their way in peace.
In verse 12, when we love, then we will be patient. Even though we may want something to occur (like some wanted Apollos to visit them), we will patiently wait for the opportunity for it to occur.
In verse 13, when we love, then we will be strong and stand firm in the faith. We will rejoice in the truth. We will bear all things, believe all things, hope all things, and endure all things.
“Love never fails; …” 1 Corinthians 13:8.
Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions 