Special Challenge For February

Many of us know, or are very familiar with, the “Love Chapter” in the Bible…First Corinthians 13. Although it is hard, if not impossible, to select certain sections of the Bible as having the highest priority to memorize, this chapter would certainly make the list.

Love vs. charity

For those of us who grew up with the King James Version of the Bible, we used the word “charity” instead of “love”. According to the Britannica encyclopedia (as found here at https://www.britannica.com/topic/charity-Christian-concept) “Charity, in Christian thought, [is] the highest form of love, signifying the reciprocal love between God and man that is made manifest in unselfish love of one’s fellow men. ” I like this meaning better, because often “love” is seen as an emotion originating from the person as an individual. But with this definition of “charity” it is a person being a conduit for God’s love. Once more we see love as more than romance or warm, fuzzy feelings. And we have some pretty high standards to live up to if we are to be “charitable” or “loving” to others. Love is patient, kind, does not envy, does not boast, and is not proud, rude, self-seeking, easily angered, and further, keeps no record of wrong, and does not delight in evil. However it shows itself by rejoicing in the truth, and will always protect, trust, hope.

Love Defined…

Is	Is not	Does	Does not
Patient	Rude	Protects	Keep a record of wrong
Kind	Proud	Trusts	Delight in evil
Hopeful	Easily angered	Rejoices in truth	Boast
The most excellent way	Self-seeking	Persevere	Envy

If you have/do	But don’t have love/charity	Because
Tongues	Become resounding gong/clanging cymbal	They will be stilled
Gift of prophecy	I am nothing	They will cease
Fathom all mysteries	I am nothing	It will pass away
All knowledge	I am nothing	It is only partial
Faith to move mountains	I am nothing	I reason like a child
Give everything to the poor	I gain nothing	I see as in a mirror
Surrender body to the flames	I gain nothing	I see only in part

Hope this might help you in your memorization process. I’d love to see any comments you have!