Cover via Amazon
As a small group we have been reading through the book Crazy Love by Francis Chan. It’s been a great book that I recommend to anyone wanting to grow in their faith in Jesus Christ. In chapter 5 he presents this challenge to use with 1 Corinthians 13:4-8:
I was challenged to do a little exercise with these verses, one that was profoundly convicting. Take the phrase Love is patient and substitute your name for the word love.
For me here’s what it looks like for me:
Brice is patient, Brice is kind. He does not envy, he does not boast, he is not proud. He is not rude, he is not self-seeking, he is not easily angered, he keeps no record of wrongs. Brice does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. He always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
I will be the first to admit, this exercise feels like blasphemy. Every time I read through the above passage with my name inserted I cringe. It really doesn’t feel like me. I miss the mark daily when it comes to the 1st Corinthians definition of love.
John 13:35 says, “By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” To be a follow of Christ we should love others. We should love others so much that the world around us will recognize the Christians from the non-Christians by our actions, mainly how we love.
So here’s the challenge. Starting tomorrow morning, try and live out 1st Corinthians 13:4-8 with your name inserted. When dealing with your spouse, patient and kind. With your children, not easily angered. When celebrating while at worship tomorrow, rejoicing in truth. In all things, try to live in such a way that others will recognize you as a disciple of Jesus.
I always finding it interesting to hear what other Christians are reading. Some of the best books I’ve found are those recommended by other friends. Here’s the list of books I’m currently reading and the books I hope to read in the next month. Post what you’re reading in the comments section. Thanks!
