First epistle to the Corinthians-Ch.13:2-7-“Putting on Christ”

 

While we study the topic ‘Charity’ it would be helpful to understand the caption ‘Putting on Christ’ is in the sense of Righteousness. We have the garment as supplied by the King to all those who heard the call and assembled for the Great Banquet. The wedding garment was freely supplied by the House(Matt.22:1-14). It is the Son’s wedding and the King is particular that regardless of shape or form, race, color and lifestyles of any under his roof present before him dressed in the wedding garment. The man in the Parable was denied because he failed to follow the rule of the House. Righteousness that admitted in eternity is Holiness of God to which each is called. Putting on the characteristics made manifest by the Son is what constitutes charity. In this connection let us go through some of the features which are like veins of gold found in the motherlode. These are distributed under each verse.

“(And though I have the gift of prophecy) And understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing(v.2)”.

Jesus often spoke to his audience in parables. Here he explains why.”Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given (Matt.13:11)”. It is a gift. But woe to those who fails to grasp fully what is the will of his Father. He spared not his own Son in order to round off the understanding of those who were keen to hear more. But we read that as time went on many went back saying it was hard saying. “From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him(John 6:66)”. His disciples stayed on, Simon Peter on their behalf answered,”Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life((v.68)”. We also know how did that fare in the end,”His disciples said unto him, Lo, now speakest thou plainly, and speakest no proverb(John 16:69)”. What spirit was moving the Evangelicals when they literally interpreted the word of God despite of the guidepost of comparing the spiritual with spiritual? The present day collusion of Right evangelicalism with  right-wing political parties was a natural consequence and it also has brought along pernicious prosperity theology. Their divine healing crusades smack of circus and gawkers are the same crowd that turned up in the heels of Jesus to ‘watch’ him perform.

“And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing (v.3)”.

Jesus came as Servant King “Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many(Matt.20:28)” and his obedience was such God raised him far above every other name. ‘I am lowly’ was his watermark and the Word made flesh has become our manual of Instruction. “Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls(Matt.11:29)”. His faith is to be developed so it is the most holy faith; his love must be radiant as Charity that explains why God sent his only begotten son to the world.

^“Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up(v.4)”,

⁵ Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;

⁶ Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth;

⁷ Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.

Despite of what entails in ‘putting on Christ for those who would enter into life without charity we have a verse for them. “Wherefore if thy hand or thy foot offend thee, cut them off, and cast them from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life halt or maimed, rather than having two hands or two feet to be cast into everlasting fire(Matt.18:8)”.