Prompt # 5

In 400-600 words explain your feelings regarding 1 Corinthians 13 on faith, hope, and charity.

In First Corinthians chapter 13 verse 8, “Charity never faileth”. This is a bold statement and principle. I love this phrase as it brings hope. Even though you may be frustrated, tired, or discouraged – Charity never faileth. So even though you may be saddened or incensed or someone strongly annoys you, if you have Charity, you can’t fail. Even though you may be at your wits end and struggling to remain positive about a situation, or may be struggling to love someone – you can take hope and comfort in knowing that Charity never faileth. Even though often times it seems that nothing will make the situation better or fix that person’s annoying habit – Charity never faileth. This is an important key to remember. This principle is true and I’ve seen in magnified many times in my life. Sometimes I will be frustrated with someone and the decisions they make or the lifestyle they live – but if I develop and have charity towards them, I will be able to overcome and love them, as Christ loves them.

In verse 3 of chapter 13 it reads, “And though I bestow all my goods to feed the apoor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.” . The acts that he describes in the first part of the verse are acts that most people would consider acts of service and full of charity. But Paul tells us in a slightly more roundabout way, that those activities are not charity. Charity is more than these acts. Charity is more than service and sacrifice. Charity is the pure love of Christ. Charity is being filled with the love of Christ and seeing others and treating others as He would see and treat them.

In verse 2 of the same chapter it states, “And though I have the gift of aprophecy, and understand all bmysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.” Charity is one of the most important qualities we can develop. Even if we attain large amounts of worldly knowledge or prestige, it profits us nothing if we have not charity. We can spend a lot of time and money developing other gifts and obtaining knowledge and even developing faith, but if we don’t take the effort to develop charity, it is in vain.

Paul takes the time and space to write 283 words on the topic of Charity in this chapter. In a time where space was valuable and keeping records was not as easy feat, I believe he is showing us the importance of Charity both in words and in principle.