Thinking through First Corinthians Thirteen

Much
talk about love this week as Valentine’s Day seemed to have once again forced
some people to think and act in certain “strange” ways. I couldn’t but pause to
wonder, on what First Corinthians Thirteen means to someone in my line of
work, having understood that sacrificial love is not based on a feeling, but a
determined act of the will, a joyful resolve to put the welfare of others above my own.

But
this type of love does not come naturally to humans. We are incapable of producing such love. So, if we are to love as God loves, that
love can only come from its true Source. Is this the same love which “has been
poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit given to us?” (Romans 5:5)

I
ask, because I’m thinking though 1Cor 13… that if I’m able to speak fluently the language of
the people I’m praying to reach with the gospel and even integrate thoroughly
into their culture, but have no love, the impact of my speech and mannerism
are no more for Christ than that of a businessman who comes to exploit the
people.

I
may have the gift of contextualizing God’s word when I deliver it to my
hearers, I may have all knowledge about their customs, I may have the faith needed to
combat witchcraft, raise the dead, heal diseases but if I have no love, I am
nothing.

I
may give everything I have to poor orphans, to hungry widows and homeless
no-bodies, I may even give my life for them, but if I have no love, this does
no good.

Love
is (and not limited to) …restraining
myself long enough till they take advantage of me, thinking in their thought
patterns and dreaming their dreams, caring enough to understand their world
view, listening to their questions, feeling their burdens, respecting them, identifying
with them in their need and belonging to
them.

Love
is eternal.

Cultures pass away. Dynamic equivalents will change because cultures change. Patterns of worship and church administration will need revision from age to
age. Languages will be altered over time. Institutions will be replaced… when men feel they’ve outlived their purpose.

Since
I’m imperfect, I can only study how to express the gospel cross-culturally, trying to free it from my cultural prejudice. I am able to do this only in a
limited way, but I pray that the Holy Spirit will use my life to show Christ to
those within the scope of my vision and mission.

Meanwhile these remain… Identification, Contextualization and Love, BUT THE
GREATEST OF THESE IS STILL LOVE.

Author: Uche Izuora

I'm inspired by God’s passion for His name in every generation, which provokes global worship through Jesus Christ. Becoming an emotionally healthy and transformative disciple, I aim to mobilize the Church to engage in cross-cultural missions and raise other like-minded disciples who discover themselves in Christ and seek to present and represent Him as Savior and Lord among the nations northward of Uganda. View all posts by Uche Izuora