Paul addresses the issue of meat sacrificed to idols and calls on the “strong” of conscience to constrain their rights and freedoms out of loving concern for the “weak” in the church. Christians are to willingly give up what is theirs for the sake of others and the gospel.
Our view of where life is going (its’ ends) has profound impacts on our attitude & actions in the present. The Resurrection calls us to a life of Joy, Purpose and Hope–impacting our work and relationships and approach to every experience.
Paul confronts the disunity caused by members of the Corinthian church who thought their gift of speaking in tongues made them spiritually superior. Paul says he would rather speak prophetic message – intelligible words – than in tongues because what matters is loving others and building up the church community.
In the famous “Love” passage in 1 Corinthians, Paul poetically exclaims the highest calling of love–a challenge and calling to the Corinthians to turn from their divisions and live for love of one another. All of us long for love and the God of love–we are made to know and live in both.
