Let All You Do Be Done in Love

[edarlitrix]

OK, the apostle Paul taught that if we don’t have love, we’re nothing and basically everything we do will not benefit us in the end (1 Cor. 13). He commands us to do everything out of love (1 Cor. 16:14). My problem with obeying this is that I don’t even know what it means to do everything “out of love.” I think it means to act principally for the good of other persons rather than my own good. But, I can’t decipher my own actions. How am I supposed to know if I act principally for the good of others? I feel pretty “entertained” by doing good. It makes me feel content and satisfied. How do I know I’m not acting principally for my own satisfaction, and therefore not out of love?

 

[Jon_S_1]

OK, the apostle Paul taught that if we don’t have love, we’re nothing and basically everything we do will not benefit us in the end (1 Cor. 13). He commands us to do everything out of love (1 Cor. 16:14). My problem with obeying this is that I don’t even know what it means to do everything “out of love.” I think it means to act principally for the good of other persons rather than my own good. But, I can’t decipher my own actions. How am I supposed to know if I act principally for the good of others? I feel pretty “entertained” by doing good. It makes me feel content and satisfied. How do I know I’m not acting principally for my own satisfaction, and therefore not out of love?

Here is a test.

You have no firm plans.

A friend calls and asks you to help him move.

Do you help him

Or

Find an excuse to do something else.

The right choice is to help him. This relatively basic example is duplicated dozens if times a week and if your in tune with it and choose to help others than your heart is loving others.

 

[Ruthie_again]

In 1 Cor 13, *love *(Greek agape) was originally translated as charity. The reason it isn’t now is that we (well, everybody but us Catholics ) have lost the former meaning of charity: unselfish love. (And that is the correct translation of agape.)

So when Paul defines what love is, he is talking about unselfish love. He shows us what love would be in a perfect world - a world where each one of us has charity for everyone.

But, somehow, I don’t see that happening until the Second Coming.

Praying for us all,

 

[Beryllos]

1 Corinthians 13 is beautiful, but read chapters 12-14 together to get the context. Paul wrote this letter to the early Christian community in Corinth in order to correct certain unloving behavior (boastful, prideful, self-centered) that he had heard about. First, Paul writes about the variety of spiritual gifts. Then he describes the church community as the body of Christ, with each member using his or her gifts to serve the good of all. Then he writes that these gifts amount to nothing without love. Paul then finishes with some instructions about how to conduct their worship. (There must have been problems with church members trying to outdo each other, talking at the same time, showing off.) He instructs them to worship in an orderly manner, so as to instruct church members, convert unbelievers, build up the church, and so on.

Paul is eloquent and poetic, but sometimes difficult to understand. I like to keep it simple and relate this passage to the Two Commandments (Matthew 22:37-38): “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it, You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” If you do that, all is well.

 

[Prodigal_Son]

I think you understand the passage perfectly, and understand that it’s hard to follow. That seems like a good place to be.

Note that it doesn’t say it’s a sin not to do everything out of love. It just tells you to do so. I expect the ability to do so would come from the Holy Spirit, not from ourselves.