I am on vacation for the rest of the month and therefore away from blogging. In effort to continue to provide some content I have asked the other elders at Emmaus Bible Church if I could post the notes from our weekly confession of sin on Sunday morning. It is always a rich time together as we prepare our hearts for worship by considering what God requires and what Christ has done. In these posts I will post the material from 1 Cor 13 reminds us of what the Bible says about love. It is teaching us about where we need to repent even as it teaches us how we must treasure Christ. Each day will unpack a section of the passage. May these serve you just as they served us at Emmaus!
“Love does not insist on its own way…”(1 Cor. 13:5b)
Here is one of the most striking reminders of what love looks like in true religion. Why is that? Being selfish strikes at the very heart of every single one of us. “insist” here means a continuous strong desire that demands “its own way.” Conversely that means being inconsiderate of the good or happiness of others. The Corinthians were abusing their Christian liberty. Paul told them on the one hand, God gives us all things to enjoy. But on the other hand, he said let no one seek his own good, but the good of his neighbor. Even when it comes to things that we have a right to enjoy, our freedom must always have a careful consideration for others. My happiness never trumps the life of my brother or sister in Christ.
This does not mean we are never concerned for our own lives. But rather, Phil. 2:3, 4 …in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Sometimes promoting the happiness of others means personal sacrifice and self denial.
What does that look like?
Kids, that means when there is that last piece of chicken or cookie, as much as you would want to insist that you deserve it, you first think if your brother or your sister would like to have it.
Men, you just came home from work and you deserve to kick your feet up; you have been hunting and gathering all day. So you demand a little space with perhaps little thought for wife and kids. This applies to all of us as members of Emmaus. Old #1 must take a back seat to the needs and concerns of others. “Love does not insist on its own way;”love is always on the prowl to see how it can do good to others. One has well said, Cure selfishness, and you plant a Garden of Eden, (Lenski). Let us ponder this text as we spend a moment in Silent Confession of Sin.
Prayer of Confession:
Dear Lord, we live in a nation where demanding our rights is commonplace. Forgive our nation for its unconscionable laws and selfish citizens claiming the right to kill the unborn. We confess our selfishness in our family life, our church life, the workplace and our neighborhoods. Lord, help us to mortify all sense of self importance demanding our rights; our own way. Forgive us for not giving more attention to the needs of our brothers and sisters in Christ. And help us to focus on others as we have learned today, love does not demand its own rights but looks lovingly on the needs of others – As we pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Assurance of Pardon:
We don’t have to look far to see how this kind of love was demonstrated by the Lord Jesus. He focused on the healing, feeding, forgiveness and compassion toward others. All the while he had nowhere to lay his head; the cross being the ultimate act of selfless love.
Ephesians 5:2 And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
