<aside> <img src="https://prod-files-secure.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/49de0235-e8bc-4eca-bf20-2a9d6d267a02/b047bd39-2b00-497b-87c1-fe4a570db8c7/10A803A6-B6B6-45F1-9EEE-FE6168C88494.jpeg" alt="https://prod-files-secure.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/49de0235-e8bc-4eca-bf20-2a9d6d267a02/b047bd39-2b00-497b-87c1-fe4a570db8c7/10A803A6-B6B6-45F1-9EEE-FE6168C88494.jpeg" width="40px" /> "Issues in Corinthians: Building a Christ-Centered Community"

Traditionally, the meaning of Paul’s thirteenth chapter in Corinthians, the 'love chapter', has been somewhat puzzling, despite its beauty. Its placement between two well-known passages raises questions. The first passage discusses the Spirit's charisma in establishing local kingdom communities (chapter 12), while the second balances responsibility and freedom (chapter 14) in the church's discourse, thought, and reasoning. Together, these three chapters (12, 13, 14) lay the foundation for a Christ-centered community. This foundation builds on the synagogue principle rooted in Moses, but is not confined to Levitical norms and biases. Instead, it innovatively expands on Moses' teachings with far-reaching implications, as Jesus predicted. Love, faith, and hope serve as eternal guiding stars for early worshippers, hinting at a future hope beyond visible reality (βλέπομεν, v12). This hope extends beyond prophetic visions, beyond human and angelic languages, and beyond the breadth of human knowledge, however vast. It assures that tomorrow (αὔριον, Matt 6:34) is on our side, and we are more aligned with God's will today than ever before. This aligns with Jesus' predictions in the gospels, envisioning a community of worshippers free from worries about the past and future fears. Prophecies, tongues, and knowledge will continue wherever Jesus's kingdom is established, preparing hearts and minds for a new world order. In this order, Jesus is Lord, and the people are those upon whom the ends of the ages have come (εἰς οὓς τὰ τέλη τῶν αἰώνων κατήντηκεν, 1 Cor 10:12). These gifts have a history dating back to the Exodus. Now, a spiritual tabernacle emerges from a different kind of Egypt, referencing sin, flesh, and devil. This tabernacle is based on a pattern partially shown to Moses on Sinai in the 14th century BC, and now partly to Paul in the first century AD. Each element of the mysterious tabernacle corresponds to a single modality under the care of elders and deacons. They nurture and watch over the local flock. Each of us has been gifted to contribute to building up the whole house (πάντα πρὸς οἰκοδομὴν γινέσθω, 1 Cor 14:26), all in agape love. There should be no competition, envy, comparison, or rivalry within Christ's body. Only members working together in love and mutual respect. To walk in true love is to move away from self-preservation and narcissism. Ultimately, the most loving, best, and perhaps only thing you can do is to be your own redeemed self.

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I believe that every right implies a responsibility; every opportunity, an obligation; every possession, a duty” - John D. Rockefeller "If it horrifies you to learn that you're just like everyone else, it's just because you don't realize how wonderful everyone is” - Anon “If opportunity doesn’t knock, build a door” - Milton Berle “In the corporate world, if you have analysts, due diligence but no horse sense, you’ve just described hell” - Charlie Munger “Something I might have dismissed long ago but now know to be true: It's not enough to be passionate. You need to build your business around your strengths” - Bill Mueller “Patience and diligence, like faith, remove mountains” - William Penn