“For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears. When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.”
1 Corinthians 13:9-13 (NIV)
Consider how we behaved as children. Fussy if things didn’t go our way. Pouting about the silliest things. Demanding unreasonably. Never considering the needs of others. Tunnel-vision to the extreme. Now, as mature adults, we understand that such behavior for children is normal. We thought and spoke according to our limited knowledge and experience and learning. Now, we understand that we were immature in our thinking, our knowledge, and our experiences. We only knew in part and considered the world from our partial understanding.
The great Apostle patiently reminds the Corinthians of this essential element. He challenges them to consider that relative to God and God’s perfection, we are all still quite immature. We are still putting childish ways behind us. The Corinthian focus on specific points and issues showed their immaturity. They needed to look at the bigger picture, and so do 21st century Christians. Despite our best efforts to interpret the Bible correctly, we are looking at the truths of God from an unclear perspective.
The problem is not God’s truth. The problem is our vision, our filter, our understanding. We have limited knowledge now, but one day we will see God face to face. One day we will know him fully like he knows us. One day all our questions will be answered fully. We will understand it all better by and by. In the meanwhile, the rule of behavior is love for one another in our limited understandings.
Dear Father, thank you for the understanding we now have. Increase our mutual love and empower us with a broader perspective. This I pray in the name of Jesus. AMEN
Be encouraged today that perfection is coming,