Called to Love, Called to Edify: What 1 Corinthians Reveals About Christian Character

Hi Word family! It's been a while since I've had a Biblical takeaway to share. Partly, because life has been crazy and I've been falling behind on my Bible study. And partly because I'm trying to avoid repetition. I'm currently studying Paul's letters and there are many repeated themes. But sometimes things are repeated for a reason.

We can never receive too many reminders when it comes to Christian conduct. Life constantly tests us, stresses us. And in the middle of the frustration, we may slip. We may lose our temper. We may lack empathy. We may move selfishly. We may struggle to uplift those around us and love as Christ calls us to love. Today's post is a reminder to do just that.

Throughout 1 Corinthians, Paul is addressing a group of believers who have given in to pride, self-righteousness, classism, idol worship, and sexual sin. To keep it brief, they had issues. Maybe that's why they got two letters? Paul seeks to remind the Corinthians of the truth of the gospel and to realign their hearts with Christ-like love.

The two key principles Paul preaches is speech that edifies or uplifts and helps others mature in their faith, and a love that influences every action and squashes every quarrel.

"Pursue love, and desire spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy...he who prophesies speaks edification and exhortation and comfort to men. He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the church." 1 Corinthians 14:1,3-4

"Let all things be done for edification." 1 Corinthians 14:26

At a time when God's people were more concerned with how many languages they could speak, and how elaborate of a performance of worship they could put on, Paul reminds them that none of their speech means anything if the person next to them cannot understand it. Understanding may be interpreted as literal understanding or spiritual understanding.

Corinth was a merchant city where many spoke different languages. If one person spoke Greek and the other Italian, there would be a literal communication barrier and what was said could not draw the other closer to Christ. Likewise, if someone spoke in a way that sounded elegant but was not mentally or spiritually understood by their fellows, it did not edify. Perhaps this is another reason why Jesus spoke using parables. Parables use everyday events and familiar experiences to illustrate deeper meaning. Parables are more easily understood by the masses.

Paul spends much time speaking about the need for interpreters, but the essential message that we can take with us today is...

We are to use our speech to uplift fellow believers in their walk with Christ, and to draw unbelievers to Christ.

It seems simple enough, but how would our speech change if we filtered everything through this qualifiation? What words would we hold back? What words would we say instead? What conversations would we seek out instead of avoiding? Would we be willing to put our pride aside to speak in a way the person next to us could comprehend?

The wisdom to know what to say and the self-control to know what not to say comes only from the Holy Spirit, which is why Paul's first command is to pursue love.

"Let all that you do be done with love." 1 Corinthians 16:14

I like to think of the Holy Spirit as the Spirit of Love for God is love and He is His Holy Spirit. When we operate with a heart posture that loves like Christ, we are slower to anger, and quicker to forgive. We show restraint in favor of unity. And we are humble enough to seek God's wisdom over perpetuating our own.

When we seek God's wisdom, a new level of understanding is available to us and those with whom we speak.

Our words are not our own. They are divine. They are prophesy. And they do edify. Through love of one another, and edification of one another, we come together as the singular body of Christ--a body of believers that is diverse and unified all at once.

"For as the body is one and has many members, but all the members of that one body, being many, are one body, so also is Christ. For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body--whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free--and have all been made to drink into one Spirit. For in fact the body is not one member but many." 1 Corinthians 12:12-14

As I end this post, I have to say, I am so thankful for the Christian community I am blessed to be a part of. I lived many years without a community, many years feeling like I'd never fit in with other believers, many years fearing judgment from my fellow Christians. But my community uplifts me when I'm low. Their sheer presence brings me joy and happiness.

When I read verses like 1 Corinthians 12:12-14, I smile, because I feel that in my church. There is unity. There is diversity. We are one body of different people all serving different kingdom functions, and it's beautiful to witness.

Having this perspective enlightens me as to why Paul was so concerned about division in the early churches. A unified church is a strong church, in which every member is uplifted, edified, and loved. Those members are effective in leading others to Christ. A divided church is a weak church that threatens the steadfastness, faithfulness, and hope of even those with the strongest faith. A divided church is an ineffective church.

Wherever you are in the world, I hope you find your church home--your congregation of believers that helps you grow closer to Christ. And know that you are a part of the larger body of Christ. We are one in Spirit. You are not alone.