The Road to What’s Really Great!

​There are some things in life that we will never be able to fully receive until we come to a point of understanding. For instance, it is really hard to fully appreciate the sacrifices your parents made for you and your siblings until you become a parent yourself. You can see things on the surface, but you don’t really understand how it feels to make sacrifices for your children, (particularly if at their "stage" they can’t appreciate it) and still not comprehend how much doing it comes at a very personal cost.

I love the way the Apostle Paul introduces the "love" chapter in 1 Corinthians. In chapter 12, he establishes some things"

You are Christ’s body—that’s who you are! You must never forget this. Only as you accept your part of that body does your "part" mean anything…. But it’s obvious by now, isn’t it, that Christ’s church is a complete Body and not a gigantic, unidimensional Part? It’s not all Apostle, not all Prophet, not all Miracle Worker, not all Healer, not all Prayer in Tongues, not all Interpreter of Tongues. And yet some of you keep competing for so-called "important" parts. But now I want to lay out a far better way for you.1 Corinthians 12: (select verses 27-31 (MSG)

Paul knew the heart of those he ministered to because their heart reflected at one time his heart. As a Pharisee he sought for and walked in the "high places" of the church. He was esteemed for his education, his Roman birth, his standing as one zealous in the demonstration of his faith. Yet, there was something that Paul lacked. It was understanding as to what God was really looking for. After his Damascus Road experience and subsequent journey, he found that missing piece. He talks about it in 1 Corithians 13: more on this tomorrow.