Today’s Lifespring! One Year Bible Rewind explores the profound necessity of love and the importance of order in our spiritual lives. While we often focus on our own abilities or spiritual gifts, Paul reminds us that without love, our actions are merely empty noise. We look at how hearts are truly changed, not through confrontation, but through the patient planting of seeds and the work of the Holy Spirit.

Today’s reading is 1 Corinthians 13–14.

The chapters begin with the famous “Love Chapter,” where Paul delineates the character of true love as patient, kind, and enduring. He argues that spiritual gifts like tongues and prophecy will eventually pass away, but love never fails. In 1 Corinthians 14, the focus shifts to the practical use of these gifts within the church assembly. Paul emphasizes prophecy for the edification and encouragement of the believers and insists that everything in the church should be done decently and in an orderly fashion. The goal of our gathering is to build up the church so that even unbelievers can recognize that God is truly among us.

Entities: Paul, Jesus, John Henry Newman, Gladys Aylward, Del Brixey, Corinthians, Isaiah

Why this episode matters: These chapters remind us that our spiritual maturity is measured by our love rather than our talents. Furthermore, the call for order in worship teaches us that God is a God of peace, not confusion. Understanding that love is an action aimed at the benefit of others helps us navigate turbulent times with grace.

In 1 Corinthians 13, Paul explains that it doesn’t matter what gift you have if you don’t have love. Love is not just a mushy feeling or a high school crush. It is specific: love is about what I can do for the benefit of the object of my love, even when it is difficult or the other person is unlovable. Love keeps going.

We also discuss how hearts are changed. It isn’t done by arguing, but by the Spirit of God using people to plant seeds. Faith comes by hearing the Word of God, often built a little at a time through conversations and seeing faith lived out in others. We must pray daily for God to show us how to love our neighbors and share the message of hope, love, and Good News.

1 Corinthians 13:1 — “If I speak in tongues of human beings and of angels, but I don’t have love, I’m a clanging gong or a clashing cymbal.”

Read it in context here: 1 Corinthians 13 (BibleGateway)

January 25th — Faith and Grit

In 1841, John Henry Newman published Tract 90. This was the climax of the Oxford Movement, where Newman attempted to reconcile the Church of England’s 39 Articles with ancient traditions. Later, in 1915, we celebrate the birth of Gladys Aylward. Despite being told she was unqualified for missions, she traveled to China and famously led nearly a hundred orphans across mountains to safety during a Japanese invasion.

Today is National Opposite Day! While it’s a fun reason to say the opposite of what we mean, it’s a good reminder that our words carry weight. As we learned today, our communication should always aim to build others up and reflect the love of Christ in our hearts.

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For more Scripture and grace, check out Verses We Missed.

Follow today’s reading here: 1 Corinthians 13–14 (BibleGateway)