True & Beautiful Things About the Bible--New Testamentনমুনা

The Letter of First Corinthians: Growing up at church

At its heart, the church is a vulnerable place to hang out. First, you’re there to please God, and that feels overwhelming at times. Then there’s pleasing other people. And that, by definition, is a moving target. We need grace at every turn.

The church at Corinth in the first century was the epitome of family life. A big, loving, dysfunctional, offensive family of God. They’re a cosmopolitan group, too, which means cultural diversity, economic levels, and ethnic groups all add color and intensity to the fellowship.

As baby Christians, everybody in this church was learning how to ask, “What would Jesus do?” But not everyone was following it. They were quick to offend/be offended. They sued each other in court, they played loose with their marriages, they took the Lord’s Supper casually, bragged about their spiritual gifts, and tolerated all the wrong stuff.

Everybody loves a baby, but nobody loves a baby who won’t grow up.

This first letter to the Corinthians gets right to the heart of the problem and the solution in chapter 13. Spoiler alert: It’s love—how to take their newfound understanding of God’s saving love and practice loving that way. Loving people just the way they are is no small thing. It’s not proud. It doesn’t give up on someone. It doesn’t want what it doesn’t have. It isn’t “me first.” It puts up with stuff. It looks for the best... and finds it.

That’s why “the love chapter” (13) is preceded by the chapter on “ways to serve each other” (12).

When you become a part of God’s family, you’re given a job to do that helps the whole family. This list of “spiritual gifts” is as diverse and beautiful as we are. Some are platform gifts, some are for behind the scenes. Some build structure, some create space. Your gift feels easy and right for you to do, because the Spirit is the One giving you the power to do it. And when done in love, these gifts, no matter how popular they are, make you more significant, not less, in the body.

What’s true and beautiful about the church is the slow process of babies growing up. Wherever you are in the process, let’s give each other room to grow. Enjoy practicing your special brand of serving God and others. And love each other.

If you look for opportunities to do these things, you’re going to find them.

Next: Life really is hard.