Counter-culture

“Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful….”1 Corinthians 13:4,5

This passage is, among many things, a reminder that trusters and believers in Christ are to be strongly counter-cultural.  In a day and age where people are encouraged to stand up for themselves and be in people’s faces about their wants and rights, here comes a teaching about the attitude we should be bringing to the conversation.

Doesn’t mean Christ followers are marshmallows; doesn’t mean that Christ followers are not to have a cogent reflection on or even a criticism of society.  They are.  It’s about the attitude we bring in such discussions.  And in doing so, we become strongly counter-cultural.  Strongly.

It is interesting to note that the Apostle Paul’s words about love here are addressed to a church that is strongly divided and filled with disputes (ahem, 1 Cor. 13 is not about weddings!).  While he would like us to have the same mind as Christ (visit 1 Corinthians 2:16); he also knew how darned human we are.   If we sometimes disagree as to what the mind of Christ is…what is the solution?  Love.  Because …”love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful….”

It is as Peter wrote, “…keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins.” (visit 1 Peter 4:8)

And that…is counter-cultural. 

And that…is where we need to be.