pramsay posted on February 16, 2006 04:24 1248 views

I just finished reading Paul’s first letter to the believers in Corinth. He tackled some huge, complex and very sensitive issues that had the potential to decimate and destroy the local church. What struck me this morning when I was reading the closing chapter was the last verse. “My love be with you all in Christ Jesus. Amen.”  I checked the closing verses of Paul’s other letters and I think the most intimate and loving sign-off was 1 Corinthians 16:24. “My love….” The most common sign-off is: “The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.

What a role model Paul is for us! What he taught in 1Corinthians 13 about love, he now practices and commits himself to such love in a very personal way in 1Corinthians 16. Given the magnitude of the problems and the degree of departure and the intensity of the division, he could have closed with a final warning and a harsh note of rebuke: “In closing, I am ashamed of you my brethren. I warn you once again to shape up or ship out!” But that wasn’t his style and it wouldn’t have been Christ-like either.

It was the only time Paul used the phrase: “My love…” The only other person to use the phrase was Christ Himself in John 15:10. Even if some of them no longer loved Paul, he was not afraid to say he still loved them in a very personal way: “My love….” Just because a Christian is off track, does not mean we can not confirm our love towards them. That is usually the time when we need to make a greater effort to assure them of our love.

When have I last looked a struggling Christian in the eyes and said: “I love you.” Can you think of one christian today who is not doing well or who is off-track? Would it be inappropriate for you to contact them by email, MSN, old-fashioned letter or card or a phone call to confirm your love towards them?

“Lord help me to contact someone today to tell them they are on my mind and in my heart and that I am praying for them and that I love them.”

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# Anonymous
Tuesday, March 07, 2006 5:51 AM

The wonder of being loved! On Sunday evening after the Gospel meeting a sister in the Lord kissed my cheek and said”I love you”. This brought tears to my eyes and joy to my heart!
Thank you for your “Bible Bites”. Love in Him.

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