Wednesday, August 10, 2011

1 Cor.13 Love Contrasted To Sin

I have always been impressed with the “Love Chapter” in 1 Corinthians 13. I recently did an exercise that brought these truths into sharper focus. I simply contrasted the characteristics of LOVE and the opposite, SIN.

LOVE is…

SIN is…

Patient

Impatient

Kind

Unkind

Does not envy

Envies

Does not boast

Boasts

Not proud

Proud

Not rude

Rude

Not self-seeking

Self-seeking

Not easily angered

Easily angered

Keeps no record of wrongs

Keeps record of wrongs

Does not delight in evil

Delights in evil

Rejoices with the truth

Rejoices with lies

Always protects

Never protects

Always trusts

Never trusts

Always hopes

Never hopes

Always perseveres

Never perseveres

Never fails

Always fails

As I studied these two lists, I saw how SIN in me often wants to act and behave like the right hand column. It is not me, but SIN in me. This “beast” must always and only be controlled by the Holy Spirit. How are you doing these days? Are you allowing the LOVE of Christ and the Spirit flow in and out of you? Or are you being controlled more by SIN and your sinful nature? It is our choice. Choose LOVE. Choose LIFE.

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