A man who is eating or lying with his wife or preparing to go to sleep in humility, thankfulness and temperance, is, by Christian standards, in an infinitely higher state than one who is listening to Bach or reading Plato in a state of pride -- C.S. Lewis.
1 Corinthians 13:4 – 7
“Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. Love does not demand its own way. Love is not irritable, and it keeps no record of when it has been wronged. It is never glad about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.”
Preceding these verses, there is a mention about ability to
speak languages, gift of prophecy, gift of faith and giving to poor. All these
and host of others can be done without having love.
Several incidents made me reflect the love passages again:
- I met very brilliant people who are very proud. They don’t want to hear anything beyond their position. They are harsh.
- I also met a Bible college principal who is more difficult to talk than any normal Christian. The moment you ring door bell he starts scolding as if it is not there for that purpose.
- Here is Bangalore, I met several Bible college principals and teachers. Instead of creating the Bible college a center of grace and love, they are authoritarian and dictator. This happens even in children home. I wonder why that happens.
The Corinthian passage once again reminds me to do
everything in love. Its no fun when dealing with difficult people – people who
talk harshly, without respect – but as Christians I am called to live a life of
love.
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