I Corinthians 13:13

Faith, Hope & Charity

“Faith, Hope and Charity, that’s the way to live successfully. How do I know, the Bible tells me so?” Although it’s been many, many years since I last heard Dale Evans, Roy Roger’s spouse, sing those words, I’ve never forgotten them. It’s a blessed, lifetime memory!

What was she singing about? I Corinthians 13:13, “And now abideth faith, hope and charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.” Newer Bible translations term “charity” as “love.” Is it the same, “charity” and “love?” In some respects, yes; but others, no. “Charity” is something freely shared with someone, known or unknown, without receiving recognition……receiving anything in return.

That’s what the Apostle Paul would say in I Corinthians 13:5, as he speaks across the ages that love “Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil.” Our late President Ronald Regan would agree, as he once said “anything is possible when no one seeks to take the credit.”

At the heart of the many ministries characteristic of the church I am privileged to serve, charity is foremost! It is not welfare, nor a hand-out. I Corinthians 13:4 exemplifies our efforts to reach out to the least, the last, the lost, and the lonely, “Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up.”

Jesus was queried by a young professional man, as to what is one’s relationship to others. Christ quoted Deuteronomy 6:5 and Leviticus 19:18, when He said “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbor as thyself,” in Luke 10:27.

An impossibly tall order…….or the ultimate standard to which we who know and follow Jesus Christ can strive? Remember, we love and serve the least, the last, the lost and the lonely, for Jesus!
The following recent Facebook post from Pastor Will Shewey of Shades of Grace United Methodist, is both a beginning and an conclusion to this devotional. Listen with the eyes of your heart.

“We know her well. On a good day she can tell you her childhood dream was to become a Christian Missionary. On a hard day, she exhibits symptoms of multiple personalities and yells at unseen (by me) persons, and carries on long one way conversations. We always try to look out for her, since life consists of survival in the streets. At other times, she in incarcerated for various offences including violating parole. This day she sat for several hours in front of the church yelling at passers by and invisible people. She cradled a small doll and caressed it amid crying and angry outbursts. We made sure food and water were available to her. Eventually she arose, gathered her belongings in a bag, and started on her way. I watched her drop to her knees a few yards away and raise arms toward the heavens. Then she threw the doll to the sidewalk and vanish from sight.

There are many facets to the complicated issue of homelessness. The Bible might refer to her as Legion, for there are many (Mark 5:9) May the Lord guide each of us to have mercy upon the least of these. As we treat her, we treat the Christ.”
Depews Chapel United Methodist Church, November 1, 2020